G) Salivary Glands

The three major salivary glands are the parotid, submandibular and sublingual. There are numerous submucosal glands scattered throughout the non-keratinising mucosa of the oral cavity.

The three large glands have some common macroscopic and microscopic features.

Macroscopic Appearance

All the glands have a pinkish-brown hue.

Microscopic Appearance

The salivary glands have a tubulo-acinar structure with a bilayered cuboidal epithelium. The outer layer consists of mucous or serous cells. The basement layer contains myoepithelial cells which can constrict the acini and tubules to move saliva. The ducts are initially lined by similar epithelium, which gradually becomes columnar as ducts merge into larger structures.

Individual Salivary Glands

• a) Parotid Gland
• b) Submandibular Gland
• c) Sublingual Gland

Delete these

Parotid Gland
Submandibular Gland
Sublingual Gland

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Links

• 1: Head and Neck
  • A) Orbit
  • B) Paranasal Sinuses
  • C) Pharynx
  • D) Oral Cavity
  • E) Larynx
  • F) Endocrine Glands of the Neck
  • G) Salivary Glands
  • H) Cranial Nerves
  • I) Base of Skull
  • J) Autonomic Innervation Of Head and Neck
  • K) Lymph Nodes Of The Head and Neck
  • L) Vascular Supply Of The Head and Neck
  • M) Anatomical Compartments