Structure and Function of Salivary Glands

Structure and Function of Salivary Glands

1. Structure of the Mouth:

• External:

• Hard Palate: Formed by two bones, the maxilla in front and the palatine bone in the back.

• Soft Palate: Includes the uvula, palatoglossal arch, palatopharyngeal arch, and connects to the back of the mouth.

• Oral Fissure: The opening of the mouth.

• Oropharynx: The part that connects to the esophagus.

• Cheeks: Made of muscles attached to the skin, buccal fascia, and mucous membrane.

• Lips: Composed of skin and mucous membrane.

• Floor of the Mouth: The bottom of the mouth.

• Internal:

• Vestibule: The area between the teeth and the mouth.

• Oral Cavity Proper: The area from the teeth inward.

2. Tongue:

• Structure: Contains numerous muscles covered by mucous membrane.

• Functions:

• Chewing, swallowing, and speech.

• Sensation due to the presence of receptors within papillae.

• Papillae on the Tongue:

• Filiform: Detect taste.

• Fungiform: Detect taste.

• Circumvallate: Detect taste.

• Foliate: Detect taste.

• Lingual Thyroid Cyst: Occurs when the duct connecting the tongue to the thyroid gland doesn’t close, causing inflammation of the thyroid gland.

• Taste Buds: The structural unit of papillae responsible for taste perception.

• Distribution of Taste Buds: Varies depending on the location on the tongue, responsible for different tastes.

• Taste Buds for Spicy: Located at the root of the tongue, pharynx, and palate.

• Sublingual Fold:

• Frenulum: Holds the tongue down.

• Sublingual Caruncles: Where the sublingual salivary glands open.

• Root of the Tongue:

• Palatoglossal Arch.

• Palatopharyngeal Arch.

• Epiglottis.

• Lingual Tonsil.

• Body of the Tongue:

• Lingual Septum + Lingual Raphe.

• Intrinsic Muscles (15): Muscles that do not attach to cartilage or bones in the face.

• Extrinsic Muscles: Muscles that attach to cartilage or bones in the face.

3. Salivary Glands:

• Major Salivary Glands:

• Parotid Gland:

• Empties into the parotid duct at the second molar tooth.

• Extends from the masseter muscle -> through the oral cavity -> duct.

• Injuries affecting the parotid gland can cause facial distortion due to the facial nerve’s involvement.

• Submandibular Gland:

• Located in the submandibular triangle, related to: facial artery, facial vein, hypoglossal nerve.

• Empties into the sublingual caruncles.

• Sublingual Gland:

• Situated on both sides of the mouth floor.

• Includes one main opening and numerous accessory openings.

• Main Opening: Sublingual caruncles.

• Accessory Openings: Sublingual folds.

4. Blood Vessels and Nerves in the Tongue:

• Veins:

• Deep Lingual Vein.

• Sublingual Vein.

• Dorsal Lingual Vein.

• Arteries:

• Dorsal Lingual Artery: Supplies the root of the tongue.

• Deep Lingual Artery: Travels straight through the tongue.

• Sublingual Artery: Supplies the extrinsic muscles and sublingual salivary gland.

• Suprahyoid Artery: Supplies the muscles attached to the hyoid bone.

• Nerves:

• Hypoglossal Nerve (XII): Main nerve.

• Anterior 2/3 of the Tongue:

• V3: Proprioception.

• VII’: Taste sensation.

• Posterior 1/3 of the Tongue:

• Glossopharyngeal Nerve (IX).

• Vagus Nerve (X).

5. Intrinsic and Extrinsic Muscles of the Tongue:

• Intrinsic Muscles:

• Superior Longitudinal Muscle.

• Transverse Muscle.

• Vertical Muscle.

• Inferior Longitudinal Muscle.

• Extrinsic Muscles:

• Styloglossus Muscle.

• Genioglossus Muscle.

• Hyoglossus Muscle.

• Mylohyoid Muscle.

6. Waldeyer’s Ring:

• A ring formed by lymphatic tissues.

• Function: Protects the respiratory and digestive tracts.

7. Anesthesia Locations in the Face:

• Numbness of 1/2 of the Jaw: Injection site between the branches of the mandible.

• Numbness of Upper Jaw Teeth and Gums: Injection site below the infraorbital foramen.

• Numbness of Individual Teeth: Injection at the site of the tooth.

8. Connection between Sinusitis and Tooth Decay:

• Teeth are close to the maxillary sinus, so bacteria can enter the sinus and cause inflammation.

Note: This article is compiled from the information you provided. It may not include all detailed information about the structure and function of salivary glands.