Salivary Glands Flashcards

Explore the major and minor salivary glands, their anatomical locations, duct systems, secretory cells, blood supply, and autonomic innervation.

Card 1 of 30Question

What are the three paired major salivary glands?

The parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands.

In This Section

1. What are the three paired major salivary glands?

The parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands.

2. How are salivary glands classified according to their mode of secretion?

They are exocrine glands that release saliva through ducts into the oral cavity.

3. Which is the largest major salivary gland?

The parotid gland.

4. Where is the parotid gland located?

In the parotid region, anterior and inferior to the external ear, between the mandibular ramus and sternocleidomastoid muscle.

5. Where does the parotid duct open into the oral cavity?

At the parotid papilla opposite the maxillary second molar tooth.

6. Which muscle is pierced by the parotid duct before it enters the oral cavity?

The buccinator muscle.

7. Which three major structures pass through the parotid gland?

The facial nerve, retromandibular vein, and external carotid artery.

8. Which cranial nerve provides preganglionic parasympathetic fibers to the parotid gland?

The glossopharyngeal nerve (cranial nerve IX).

9. In which ganglion do parasympathetic fibers supplying the parotid gland synapse?

The otic ganglion.

10. Which nerve carries postganglionic parasympathetic fibers to the parotid gland?

The auriculotemporal nerve, a branch of the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve.

11. Where is the submandibular gland located?

Primarily within the submandibular triangle, beneath the body of the mandible.

12. Which muscle separates the superficial and deep parts of the submandibular gland?

The mylohyoid muscle, around whose posterior free border the gland extends.

13. Where does the submandibular duct open?

At the sublingual caruncle on either side of the lingual frenulum.

14. What is the anatomical relationship between the lingual nerve and the submandibular duct?

The lingual nerve loops inferior to the duct, passing from its lateral to medial side.

15. Where is the sublingual gland located?

In the floor of the mouth, superior to the mylohyoid muscle and deep to the sublingual fold.

16. How do most sublingual gland secretions enter the oral cavity?

Through multiple small sublingual ducts opening along the sublingual fold.

17. Which cranial nerve provides preganglionic parasympathetic fibers to the submandibular and sublingual glands?

The facial nerve (cranial nerve VII), through the chorda tympani.

18. Which nerve carries the chorda tympani parasympathetic fibers toward the submandibular ganglion?

The lingual nerve, a branch of the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve.

19. Where do parasympathetic fibers supplying the submandibular and sublingual glands synapse?

In the submandibular ganglion.

20. What is the sympathetic source of innervation to the major salivary glands?

Postganglionic fibers from the superior cervical ganglion traveling along arterial plexuses.

21. Which major salivary gland produces predominantly serous secretion?

The parotid gland.

22. What type of secretion is produced by the submandibular gland?

Mixed serous and mucous secretion, with serous cells predominating.

23. What type of secretion predominates in the sublingual gland?

Mucous secretion, with a smaller serous component.

24. What are the two principal secretory cell types in salivary glands?

Serous cells and mucous cells.

25. What is the function of myoepithelial cells in salivary glands?

They contract around secretory acini and small ducts to assist saliva expulsion.

26. What is the usual sequence of ducts within a major salivary gland?

Intercalated ducts, striated ducts, and larger excretory ducts.

27. What is the principal function of striated ducts in salivary glands?

They modify primary saliva by reabsorbing sodium and chloride and secreting potassium and bicarbonate.

28. Where are the minor salivary glands distributed?

Throughout much of the oral mucosa, including the lips, cheeks, palate, and tongue.

29. Which arteries primarily supply the submandibular and sublingual glands?

Branches of the facial and lingual arteries.

30. Why are salivary calculi especially common in the submandibular gland?

Its relatively viscous saliva and long, upward-running duct favor salivary stagnation and stone formation.