DEN 103L: salivary glands

Types of glands

What is a gland?

• any structure that secretes chemicals needed for bodily function (saliva = eating, speaking_

Exocrine gland: has duct associated

• Lacrimal- tears

• Major salivary glands (gland is a distance from duct)

1. parotid salivary glands

2. submandibular salivary glands

3. sublingual salivary glands

• Minor salivary glands ( gland secretes saliva directly into the oral cavity, no long duct; short duct)

Histological configuration

Epithelial cells: specialized

• secretive cells

• duct cells

Basic cellular structure of salivary glands: acini (lobes arranged like grapes), pyramidal-shaped cluster cells

Two basic acinar epithelial cells:

• Serous cells

• Mucous cells

• Based on the type of cell = different consistency

Histology

Serous: produces secretions that are mostly proteins, little carbs

Mucous: produces a secretion high in carbohydrates, low in protein (mucin)

*when mucin mixes with saliva = mucous

Major salivary gland - parotid gland

• sits in front of the ear, 2 lobes

• serous production only

• ¼ or 25% of total saliva

Associated ducts- Stensen’s duct (on buccal near #3 & #4), opening = parotid papilla

Major salivary glands- submandibular gland

• External to the oral cavity, near angle of the mandible

• 65% of saliva in mouth

• mix of serous & mucous

• Duct = whartons duct

Stafnes defect associated with submandibular gland (developmental concavity of the mandible)

• comes out sublingual caruncle

Major salivary glands- sublingual gland

• floor of mouth near midline

• 10% of saliva in mouth

• Almond shaped

Associated ducts:

• Bartholins duct: empties under the tongue

• Multiple ducts of Rivinus open (rivinians duct) in area of sublingual fold

• Drains sublingual caruncle

• Whartons duct connects to Bartholins

• mix of serous & mucous

Minor salivary gland

• 600-1000

• multiple sites

• *serous

• All over the mouth, soft palate, and tongue

Saliva

Whats in it:

• Salts (buffers): repair tooth structure (sodium, calcium, potassium)

• Glycoproteins: for production pellicle (protective feature of saliva)

• Protein

• Antimicrobial agents

• WBC

• Epithelial cells

• bacteria (good & bad)

• colorless, sticky, 99% water

Serous cells

What is it?

• Substance is high protein & low carb; secrets amylase

• Amylase: enzyme that breaks down carbs

Where does it come from?

• Lips, cheeks, anterior floor

What does it do?

• Digestion of carbs (starch)

• * Consistency- watery

Mucous cells

What is it?

• Subtance is low protein, high carbs; mucous glands secrete mucin (discharged from mucous cells & forms mucous)

Where does it come from?

• Posterior palate, throat, tongue

What does it do?

• responsible for lubrication

• important role in chewing & speaking

• * Consistency- thicker

Mixed

• Mixed glands produce amylase & mucin

• Serous demilunes

Tonsillar tissue

Tonsils- part of the lymphatic system

1. Waldeyer ring: Compound of tonsillar tissue; found in posterior parts of the throat

• Palatine tonsils

• Lingual tonsils

• Pharyngeal tonsils (adenoid)

When one is gone others might act up/ over react