What are the salivary glands?

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The salivary glands is called the salivary glands. Gray's Anatomy (1918) describes it as three pairs of large glands — parotid, submandibular, and sublingual — plus many small ones.

Summary

The salivary glands is called the salivary glands. Gray's Anatomy (1918) describes it as three pairs of large glands — parotid, submandibular, and sublingual — plus many small ones.

What it is

  • Three pairs of large glands \u2014 parotid, submandibular, and sublingual \u2014 plus many small ones.
  • Produce saliva.
  • Saliva moistens food, begins the digestion of starch, and lubricates the mouth.

Where it is

  • Around the mouth and jaw.
  • The parotid lies in front of and below the ear.
  • The submandibular and sublingual glands lie in the floor of the mouth.

Sources

According to Gray's Anatomy of the Human Body (1918, public domain):

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