Question

Salivary glands role in our body and explain its roles 

Answer 1

Salivary glands are the exocrine glands that secrete saliva and through a system of ducts, it is poured into the mouth.

In humans, three major pairs of salivary glands are present, parotid, submandibular and sublingual.

In healthy individuals between 0.5 to 1.5 litres of saliva is produced per day.

Saliva serves the following functions in the oral cavity.

It lubricates and protects the soft and hard tissues of the oral cavity

It also gives protection from dental caries

Saliva prevents microbial growth in the oral cavity.

Saliva can encourage soft tissue repair by decreasing clotting time and increasing wound contraction

Saliva contains the enzyme amylase that hydrolyses starch into maltose and dextrin. Hence saliva allows digestion to occur before the food reaches the stomach

Saliva acts as a solvent in which solid particles can dissolve in and enter the taste buds located on the tongue. 

Salivary glands are the exocrine glands that secrete saliva and through a system of ducts, it is poured into the mouth.