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Saliva on a baby's lips. Saliva (commonly referred to as spit or drool) is an extracellular fluid produced and secreted by salivary glands in the mouth.In humans, saliva is around 99% water, plus electrolytes, mucus, white blood cells, epithelial cells (from which DNA can be extracted), enzymes (such as lipase and amylase), and antimicrobial agents (such as secretory IgA, and lysozymes).
Parasympathetic stimulation evokes a copious flow of saliva. Parasympathetic innervation to the salivary glands is carried via cranial nerves . The parotid gland receives its parasympathetic input from the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) via the otic ganglion , [ 14 ] while the submandibular and sublingual glands receive their parasympathetic ...
Functions of these four cranial nerves (V-VIII) include regulation of respiration, control of involuntary actions, sensory roles in hearing, equilibrium, and taste, and in facial sensations such as touch and pain, as well as motor roles in eye movement, facial expressions, chewing, swallowing, and the secretion of saliva and tears.
The paired submandibular glands (historically known as submaxillary glands) are major salivary glands located beneath the floor of the mouth.In adult humans, they each weigh about 15 grams and contribute some 60–67% of unstimulated saliva secretion; on stimulation their contribution decreases in proportion as parotid gland secretion rises to 50%. [1]
The most notable physiological effects from autonomic activity are pupil constriction and dilation, and salivation of saliva. [8] The autonomic nervous system is always activated, but is either in the sympathetic or parasympathetic state. [8]
A sialogogue (also spelled sialagogue, ptysmagogue or ptyalagogue) is a substance, especially a medication, that increases the flow rate of saliva. [1] The definition focuses on substances that promote production or secretion of saliva (proximal causation) rather than any food that is mouthwatering (distal causation that triggers proximal causation).
One of the neuroendocrine pathways, when activated, results in the release of immune regulating peptides from the submandibular gland upon neuronal stimulation from sympathetic nerves. This pathway or communication is referred to as the cervical sympathetic trunk-submandibular gland (CST-SMG) axis, a regulatory system that plays a role in the ...
The sympathetic nervous system's primary process is to stimulate the body's fight or flight response. It is, however, constantly active at a basic level to maintain homeostasis. [4] The sympathetic nervous system is described as being antagonistic to the parasympathetic nervous system.