What are the salivary glands, and what type of saliva does each major gland produce?

There are four major glands (paired parotid, submandibular, and sublingual) plus many minor glands. The parotid produces watery serous saliva (rich in amylase), the submandibular a mixed seromucous saliva, and the sublingual a viscous mucous saliva.

Clinical relevance. Knowing each gland's saliva type explains why stones favour the submandibular gland and tumours the parotid.

More Detail

Salivary glands overview

The salivary glands produce saliva with distinct serous and mucous characteristics.

Major glands (paired)

• Parotid glands: produce watery serous saliva rich in amylase and proline-rich proteins.
• Submandibular glands: produce a mixed (seromucous) saliva (more mucus).
• Sublingual glands: produce viscous (mucous) saliva.

Minor glands

• Numerous minor salivary glands scattered through the oral mucosa.

Relevance

• The high viscosity of submandibular saliva predisposes it to stone (calculus) formation.