Salivary glands

• The general structure of the salivary gland includes secretory cells, a duct system, and connective tissue capsule.
• Secretory cells in the salivary gland are arranged in acini which may be tubular or grape-like.
• Secretory cells making up one acinus opens up into a lumen which is its central cavity.
• The lumen of several acini are connected with one another by a secretory tubule which in turn will lead to the duct system of the gland.
• An acinus consists of several secretory cells.
• A lobule consists of several acini.
• A lobe consists of several lobules.
• The duct system of the salivary gland refers to the process from acini to the main excretory duct.
• The connective tissue capsule surrounds the secretory cells and duct system, demarcating the gland from adjacent structures.
• The connective tissue capsule has extensions that go into the body of the gland, dividing salivary glands into lobes and lobes into lobules.
• The gland with ducts opening into the ventral surface of the tongue is the Anterior lingual glands.
• Secretory cells are arranged in acini.
• The two major types of secretory cells are Serous and Mucous Cells.
• The largest portion of the duct system is the Striated duct.
• The primary antibody of saliva involved in its antimicrobial action is Immunoglobulin A (lgA).
• The protein involved in the growth and maturation of taste buds is Demilunes of Gianuzzi 1.
• Wharton’s duct is a type of gland.
• The internal carotid artery is a type of gland.
• The Sublingual gland is a type of gland.
• Anterior lingual glands are a type of gland.
• Intercalated duct is the smallest intralobular duct and it drains the acinus of the salivary gland.
• Intercalated duct is lined with simple cuboidal epithelium and contains myoepithelial cells with processes at the basal portion.
• Intercalated duct modifies salivary secretions by the addition of antibacterial factors such as macromolecular components like Lysozyme and Lactoferrin.
• Intercalated duct may contain undifferentiated cells called “salivary gland stem cells”.
• Intercalated duct is prominent in salivary glands with serous secretions.
• Striated duct is an intralobular duct and the largest portion of the duct system.
• Striated duct is lined with columnar epithelium and has mitochondria on the basal area to provide energy.
• Striated duct modifies saliva by reabsorption and secretion of electrolytes, including reabsorption of Na+, Cl+, K+, and HCO3-.
• Excretory duct is located in the connective tissue septa between lobules and is the start of the interlobular duct.
• Excretory duct is lined with pseudostratified columnar epithelium and also alters the electrolyte concentration of saliva.
• Main excretory duct nears the oral cavity and is lined with stratified squamous epithelium, which will have the same epithelium as the oral cavity as it nears it.
• According to nature of secretion, human salivary glands can be classified into serous glands, mucous glands, and mixed glands.
• Serous glands are purely serous cells.
• Mucous glands are purely mucous cells.
• Mixed glands contain both serous and mucous cells and have a mucous acinus.
• The serous part of mixed glands is in the form of Demilunes of Gianuzzi.
• Major salivary glands include Parotid gland, Submandibular gland, and Sublingual gland.
• Age changes in the salivary glands include a generalized loss of parenchymal tissue, a 30-60% reduction in acinar volume of major salivary glands, and an increase in fibrous connective tissue and vascular elements.
• Changes in the duct system include an increase in nonstriated intralobular ducts, dilation of extralobular ducts, and degenerative and metaplastic changes.
• Decreased production of saliva is a common age-related change in the salivary glands.