Major Salivary Glands
- Major salivary glands are the paired parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands.
- Parotid glands are paired major salivary glands that are mainly serous.
- Submandibular glands are paired major salivary glands with both serous and mucous acini.
- Sublingual glands are paired major salivary glands that are mostly mucous but have serous demilunes.
- Salivary amylase is an enzyme in saliva that begins carbohydrate digestion in the mouth.
- Lysozyme is an antimicrobial enzyme that helps control oral bacteria.
- Lactoferrin is an antimicrobial protein that binds iron and helps limit bacterial growth.
- Secretory component is part of the receptor system that helps move dimeric immunoglobulin A into saliva.
- Dimeric immunoglobulin A means two immunoglobulin A units joined together for mucosal immune defense.
- Basal membrane of secretory cells faces the connective tissue and is where dimeric immunoglobulin A can bind for transport.
- Endosomes are intracellular membrane compartments involved in transport and sorting.
- Protection from salivary enzymes helps immunoglobulin A remain functional in the oral cavity.
- Immune function of salivary immunoglobulin A helps defend mucosal surfaces against microbes.
- Histidine-rich proteins are serous-cell secretions that contribute to saliva's protein content.
- Proline-rich proteins are salivary proteins that can be modified during early digestion in ducts.
- Cysteine-rich proteins are another group of salivary proteins released by serous cells.
- Striated-duct cells release kallikrein into both duct lumen and surrounding connective tissue.
- Kallikrein is an enzyme that processes specific proteins or plasma precursors depending on where it acts.
- Luminal kallikrein begins digestion of proline-rich and cysteine-rich proteins inside the duct lumen.
- Connective-tissue kallikrein enters blood and converts kininogens into bradykinin.
- Kininogens are precursor proteins that can be converted into active kinins.
- Bradykinin is a vasoactive peptide that can increase blood flow and vascular permeability.
- Oral bacterial flora are the normal bacterial populations living in the mouth.
- Bacterial control by lysozyme and lactoferrin helps maintain oral health.
- Carbohydrate digestion begins in the mouth because salivary amylase contacts starches during chewing.
- Salivary secretions also prepare food for swallowing by moistening and lubricating it.
Use Hide Bold Terms to cover authored terms, or Hide Every Word to cover every word in the block. Show One reveals the next hidden term or word in reading order without expanding the whole block. In Hide Main, hover a visible term to preview the full bullet.