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The two parotid glands are major salivary glands wrapped around the mandibular ramus in humans. [6] These are largest of the salivary glands, secreting saliva to facilitate mastication and swallowing, and amylase to begin the digestion of starches. [7] It is the serous type of gland which secretes alpha-amylase (also known as ptyalin). [8]
Salivary gland dysfunction affects the flow, amount, or quality of saliva produced. A reduced salivation is termed hyposalivation.Hyposalivation often results in a dry mouth condition called xerostomia, and this can cause tooth decay due to the loss of the protective properties of saliva.
Sialolithiasis (also termed salivary calculi, [1] or salivary stones) [1] is a crystallopathy where a calcified mass or sialolith forms within a salivary gland, usually in the duct of the submandibular gland (also termed "Wharton's duct"). Less commonly the parotid gland or rarely the sublingual gland or a minor salivary gland may develop ...
A minor salivary gland biopsy, usually taken from the lip, [26] may be carried out if there is a suspicion of organic disease of the salivary glands. [1] Blood tests and urinalysis may be involved to exclude a number of possible causes. [1] To investigate xerophthalmia, the Schirmer test of lacrimal flow may be indicated. [1]
The blockage may be from a salivary stone, a mucous plug, or, more rarely, by a tumor, usually benign. Salivary stones (also called sialolithiasis, or salivary duct calculus) are mainly made of calcium, but do not indicate any kind of calcium disorder. [7] Other causes can be duct stricture (narrowing of the duct), infection or injury.
Salivary gland involvement primarily involves both parotid glands, causing enlargement and swelling. Salivary gland biopsy with histopathologic examination is needed to make the distinction between whether Sjoren's syndrome or sarcoidosis is the cause of this. [21]
Sialadenitis (sialoadenitis) is inflammation of salivary glands, usually the major ones, the most common being the parotid gland, followed by submandibular and sublingual glands. [1] It should not be confused with sialadenosis (sialosis) which is a non-inflammatory enlargement of the major salivary glands. [2]
Hypersalivation or hypersialosis is the excessive production of saliva. [3] It has also been defined as increased amount of saliva in the mouth, which may also be caused by decreased clearance of saliva.