SALIVARY GLANDS -AN OVERVIEW (original) (raw)

Secretions of Human Salivary Gland

Salivary Glands - New Approaches in Diagnostics and Treatment

The salivary glands play an important role in our body by the virtue of its ability to secrete saliva. Saliva has a role to play in maintaining the health of the oral cavity and for carrying out physiological functions like mastication, taste perception, speech etc. It also acts as a mirror to the systemic status of an individual owing to its ability to act as a diagnostic fluid for detecting a number of conditions and diseases. Saliva is a potential noninvasive diagnostic fluid for detection of a number of biomarkers of disease and health. Advancement in diagnostic methods has helped in identifying biomarkers of disease in saliva. In order to understand and diagnose pathological changes, a thorough understanding of the salivary gland anatomy, physiology and regulation of its secretion is warranted. This chapter aims to provide the basic understanding of the secretions of saliva.

Overview of Human Salivary Glands: Highlights of Morphology and Developing Processes

Anatomical record (Hoboken, N.J. : 2007), 2017

Salivary glands are essential organs that produce and secrete saliva to the oral cavity. During gland morphogenesis, many developmental processes involve a series of coordinated movements and reciprocal interactions between the epithelium and mesenchyme that generate the ductal system and the secretory units. Recent studies have shown new findings about salivary gland development, particularly regarding lumen formation and expansion, with the involvement of apoptosis and cell polarization, respectively. Moreover, it has been observed that human minor salivary glands start forming earlier than previously published and that distinct apoptotic mediators can trigger duct lumen opening in humans. This review summarizes updated morphological and cellular features of human salivary glands and also explores new aspects of the human developmental process. Anat Rec, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Clinical aspects of salivary biology for the dental clinician

2007

Saliva as a fluid is a composite of the secretions of major and minor salivary glands. Saliva also contains material derived from the gingival sulcus, a point that has diagnostic relevance in terms of salivary markers of periodontal destruction. The composition of saliva varies from site to site within the mouth of each individual, and changes according to the time of day and proximity to mealtimes. Its properties are affected by the level of hydration and general health of the individual. Saliva performs a multiplicity of roles within the oral cavity, and like many things in life, its importance is usually not appreciated until it is absent. First

Saliva Composition and Functions: A Comprehensive Review

Aim: The aim of this study was to perform a literature review about the composition and functions of saliva as well as describe the factors that influence salivary flow (SF) and its biochemical composition. Background: Saliva represents an increasingly useful auxiliary means of diagnosis. Sialometry and sialochemistry are used to diagnose systemic illnesses, monitoring general health, and as an indicator of risk for diseases creating a close relation between oral and systemic health. Review: This review provides fundamental information about the salivary system in terms of normal values for SF and composition and a comprehensive review of the factors that affect this important system. Conclusion: Since several factors can influence salivary secretion and composition, a strictly standardized collection must be made so the above-mentioned exams are able to reflect the real functioning of the salivary glands and serve as efficient means for monitoring health. Clinical Significance: Since many oral and systemic conditions manifest themselves as changes in the flow and composition of saliva the dental practitioner is advised to remain up-to-date with the current literature on the subject.

Salivary secretion in health and disease

Journal of oral rehabilitation, 2018

Saliva is a complex fluid produced by three pairs of major salivary glands and by hundreds of minor salivary glands. It comprises a large variety of constituents and physicochemical properties, which are important for the maintenance of oral health. Saliva not only protects the teeth and the oropharyngeal mucosa, it also facilitates articulation of speech, and is imperative for mastication and swallowing. Furthermore, saliva plays an important role in maintaining a balanced microbiota. Thus, the multiple functions provided by saliva are essential for proper protection and functioning of the body as a whole and for the general health. A large number of diseases and medications can affect salivary secretion through different mechanisms, leading to salivary gland dysfunction and associated oral problems including xerostomia, dental caries and fungal infections. The first part of this review article provides an updated insight into our understanding of salivary gland structure, the neur...