Salivary glands

Salivary glands produce saliva, which moistens the mouth to help a person chew and swallow food. Saliva also contains substances (enzymes) that begin the breakdown of food.

There are four pairs of salivary glands, four glands on each side:

The parotid glands are between the ear and the jaw.
The submandibular glands are under the jaw.
The sublingual glands are on the floor of the mouth under the tongue.
The buccal glands are in the mucous membrane lining the cheeks and mouth. These glands produce only a small amount of saliva.

Current as of: October 19, 2023

Author: Healthwise Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

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Salivary glands

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