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Saliva

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Total cards: 24•Content version: v4•Public deck•Updated: 8/1/2026

Card preview (24)

#1
Front (Question)

What is saliva?

Back (Answer)

Glandular secretion which bathes teeth and oral mucosa

#2
Front (Question)

What are 3 major components of saliva?

Back (Answer)

• Water • Proteins / Glycoproteins • Electrolytes

#3
Front (Question)

Why is saliva fluid not lost?

Back (Answer)

It is swallowed and reabsorbed by gut

#4
Front (Question)

What 4 glands are responsible for saliva production?

Back (Answer)

• Parotid gland • Submandibular gland • Sublingual gland • Minor salivary glands

#5
Front (Question)

What are salivary outputs from the glands when unstimulated?

Back (Answer)

Parotid - 20% Submandibular - 65% Sublingual - 8% Minor - 7%

#6
Front (Question)

What are salivary outputs from the glands when stimulated?

Back (Answer)

Parotid - 50% Submandibular - 35% Sublingual - 8% Minor - 7%

#7
Front (Question)

Where is the parotid gland located?

Back (Answer)

In front of ear and behind the ramus of the mandible

#8
Front (Question)

Where does the parotid gland duct open?

Back (Answer)

Into the cheek opposite the 2nd molar of the upper jaw

#9
Front (Question)

Where is the submandibular gland located?

Back (Answer)

Between body of the mandible and floor of the mouth

#10
Front (Question)

Where does the submandibular gland duct open?

Back (Answer)

Floor of the mouth underneath anterior part of the tongue

#11
Front (Question)

Where is the sublingual gland located?

Back (Answer)

Floor of the mouth beneath sublingual folds of mucous membrane

#12
Front (Question)

Where does the sublingual gland duct open?

Back (Answer)

Numerous ducts open on the summit of the sublingual fold

#13
Front (Question)

What are 3 main features of unstimulated saliva?

Back (Answer)

• Confers most protection • Importance of minor and submandibular output • Low output during sleep

#14
Front (Question)

What are 3 main features of stimulated saliva?

Back (Answer)

• Protection during mastication (chewing) • Assists in deglutition (swallowing) • Importance of parotid output

#15
Front (Question)

What are the two cells of the salivary glands?

Back (Answer)

• Serous 2. Mucous

#16
Front (Question)

Name 8 functions of saliva

Back (Answer)

• Cleansing • Buffering • Remineralisation • Food Preparation • Digestion • Antimicrobial • Taste • Speech

#17
Front (Question)

What is the function of bicarbonate found in saliva?

Back (Answer)

Buffering system at high flow rates i.e. when eating

#18
Front (Question)

How does bicarbonate carry out its function as a buffer?

Back (Answer)

Pushes pH of saliva up to 8 to buffer against acidic foods

#19
Front (Question)

What is the function of calcium and phosphate ions found in saliva?

Back (Answer)

Remineralisation and provide protection against caries

#20
Front (Question)

What is a negative side effect of calcium and phosphate ions found in saliva?

Back (Answer)

It can lead to calculus formation

#21
Front (Question)

What is calculus?

Back (Answer)

Plaque and mineralised salts

#22
Front (Question)

Name 4 enzymes found in saliva and their function

Back (Answer)

• Lactoperoxidase - Inhibits bacterial metabolism • Lysozyme - Acts on cell wall of bacteria • Amylase - Aids starch digestion • Lipase - Aids lipid digestion

#23
Front (Question)

Where is amylase produced in the oral cavity?

Back (Answer)

Parotid gland

#24
Front (Question)

Name 4 antimicrobials found in saliva

Back (Answer)

• sIgA • Lactoferrin • Histatins • Defensins