Salivary Glands

The oral cavity has a dynamic moist environment from the embryonic stage till the end of life. This environment encounters many microbial and pathogen attacks. To defend it, specialized oral epithelium lining and salivary glands play a crucial role. Human saliva acts as a lubricant with a potent line of defense because of its antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties. Serous gland cells present with prominent round-shaped nuclei that are located in the basal third of the cell. In the case of mucous salivary glands, a typical mucous cell has a tubular configuration with mucous surrounding a central lumen. The mixed submandibular salivary glands are responsible to produce 65–70% of the saliva that enters the oral cavity, although they are much smaller in size as compared with the parotid gland. The intercalated ducts have a lining of simple cuboidal epithelium. Sialadenitis signifies parotid, submandibular, sublingual, or minor salivary gland inflammation and swelling.