35 Salivary Secretion

CHAPTER OUTLINE
FUNCTIONAL ANATOMY OF MOUTH
FUNCTIONS OF MOUTH
SALIVARY GLANDS
PROPERTIES AND cOMPOSITION OF SALIVA
FUNCTIONS OF SALIVA
REGULATION OF SALIVARY SECRETION
EFFECT OF DRUGS AND CHEMICALS ON SALIVARY SECRETION
APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY: DISORDERS OF SALIVARY SECRETION

FUNCTIONAL ANATOMY OF MOUTH FUNCTIONS OF MOUTH

Mouth is otherwise known as oral cavity or buccal Primary function of mouth is eating and it has few other
cavity. It is formed by cheeks, lips and palate. It en important functions also (Table 35.1).
closes the teeth, tongue and salivary glands. Mouth
opens anteriorly to the exterior through lips and poste- ISALIVARY GLANDS
riorly through fauces into the pharynx. In humans, the saliva is secretedby three pairs of major
Digestive juice present in the mouth is saliva, which (larger) salivary glands and some minor (small) salivary
is secreted by the salivary glands glands.

TABLE 35.1: Functions of mouth.

Function Process

Teeth cut and grind the food

Lips and cheeks hold food in the mouth with the help of tongue
1. Mastication Muscles of the mouth along with jaw movements help in chewing the food properly and
with saliva
mixing the food

Saliva lubricates and softens the food to facilitate chewing and

swallowing
Taste buds present on tongue and other structures of mouth help to appreciate and differentiate the
2. Taste taste of food
Saliva helps in appreciation of taste by dissolving the foodstuffs

Mouth coordinates with larynx, pharynx, lips and tongue during

3. Speech speech
Saliva helps in speech by moistening and lubricating soft parts of mouth and
lips
4. Appearance Shape of the mouth along with jaws, lips and teeth together contribute to the
appearance of face
Facial expressions like smiling and laughing are mostly centered on mouth
5. Expression
lips and cheeks along with movements of

Occasionally, when nose breathing is inadequate, as in case of

running or nasal block, mouth
6. Breathing for breathing is used
 Section 4: Digestive System

MAJOR SALIVARY GLANDS TABLE 35.2: Ducts of major saly

Major glands are: Gland
1. Parotid glands Duct
Submandibular or submaxillary glands Parotid gland Stensen's dud
3. Sublingual glands. Submandibular gland Wharton's dua
1. Parotid Glands Sublingual gland Ducts of RivinuslBarnt,
Parotid glands are the largest of all salivary glands, Bartholin's duct (Table 35.2). It drains, the
situated at the side of the face just below and in front of of the gland and opens on caruncula sut
the ear. Each gland weighs about 20 to 30 g in adults. the opening of submaxillary duct.
Secretions from these glands are emptied into the oral
cavity by Stensen's duct. This duct is 35 mm to 40 mm MINOR SALIVARY GLANDS
long and opens inside the cheek against the upper
1. Lingual Mucous Glands
second molar tooth (Fig. 35.1).
Lingual mucous glands are situated in post
2. Submandibular Glands third of the tongue, behind circumvallate
at the tip and margins of tongue.
papill
Submandibular or submaxillary glands are located in
submaxillary triangle, medial to mandible. Each gland
weighs about 8 to 10 g. Saliva from these glands is 2. Lingual Serous Glands
emptied into the oral cavity by Wharton's duct, which Lingual serous glands are located near circume
is about 40 mm long. The duct opens at the side of
papillae and filiform papillae.
frenulum of tongue by means of a small opening on the
summit of papilla called caruncula sublingualis. 3. Buccal Glands

3. Sublingual Glands Buccal glands molar

the mucous
or
glands are present bati
membrane and buccinator muscle Fo.
Sublingual glands are the smallest salivary glands five of these are
situated in the mucosa at the floor of the mouth. Each around the larger and situated outside buor
terminal part of parotid duct.
gland weighs about 2 to 3 g. Saliva from these glands is
poured into 5 to 15 small ducts called ducts of Rivinus. 4. Labial Glands
Ducts of Rivinus open on small papillae beneath
the tongue. One ofthe ducts is larger and it is calledolal glands are situated beneath the
membrane around the orifice of
Stensen duct
mouth.
Parotid gland 5. Palatal Glands

Palatal glands are

brane of the soft found beneath the mucou
palate.
ICLASSIFICATION OF SALIVARY GLANDS
Salivary glands are classified into three
the type of
secretion. types.
1. Serous Glands

Sublingual- Submaxillary
gland Serous glands are
gland These glands secrete mainly made up of cells

glands and lingual thin and serou Parot

Wharton
watery
(serous) glands are the sailvaln
duct 2. Mucous Glands serou
FIGURE 35.1: Major salivary glands. Mucous
These glands are
mainly made up of
Cels

glands secrete of mucous

thick, viscous mu hh
sa
 Secretion
Chapter 35: Salivary

buccal glands Contribution by each major salivary gland is

mucin content. Lingual mucous glands,
to this type. : 25%
and palatal glands belong i. Parotid glands
i. Submaxillary glands 70%
3. Mixed Glands i. Sublingual glands 5%
2. Reaction: Mixed saliva from all the glands is slignty
Mixed glands up of both serous and mucous
are made
acidic with pH of 6.35 to 6.85
and labial glands are
cells. Submandibular, sublingual 3. Specific gravity: 1.002 to 1.012
the mixed glands. 4. Tonicitly: Saliva is hypotonic to plasma.
STRUCTURE AND DUCT SYSTEM
COMPOSITION OF SALIVA
OF SALIVARY GLANDS
solids and
Mixed saliva contains 99.5% water and 0.5%
Salivary glands are formed by acini or alveoli. Each in Figure 35.3.
acinus is formed by a small group of cells, which sur gases. Composition of saliva is given

round a central globular cavity. Central cavity of each

with the lumen of the duct. The
FUNCTIONS OF SALIVA
acinus is continuous
Since t has
fine duct draining each acinus is called intercalated Saliva is very essential digestive juice.
a
intercalated ducts join together to form many functions, its absence
leads to many inconven
duct. Many
intralobular duct. Few intralobular ducts join to form iences.
interlobular ducts, which unite to form the main duct of
Ihe gland (Fig. 35.2). Agland with this type of structure1.
PREPARATION OF FOOD FOR SWALLOWING
and duct system is called racemose type (racemose moistened and
When food is taken into the mouth, it is
means bunch of grapes). of mouth
dissolved by saliva. The mucous membrane
is also moistened by saliva. It facilitates chewing. By
PROPERTIES AND COMPOSITION OF the movement of tongue, the moistened and
masticated
SALIVA saliva lubricates the
food is rolled into a bolus. Mucin of
PROPERTIES OF SALIVA bolus and facilitates swallowing.

1.Volume: 1,000 mL to 1,500 mL ofsaliva is secreled2. APPRECIATION OF TASTE

per day and it is approximately about 1 mL/min.
Taste is a chemical sensation. By its solvent action,
saliva dissolves the solid food substances, so that the
Main duct
dissolved substances can stimulate the taste buds. The
Interlobular stimulated taste buds recognize the taste.
duct
3. DIGESTIVE FUNCTION
Saliva has three digestive enzymes, namely salivary
Intralobular
duct
amylase, maltase and lingual lipase (Table 35.3).

- Intercalated
Salivary Amylase
duct
Salivary amylase is a carbohydrate-digesting (amylo
lytic) enzyme. It acts on cooked or boiled starch and
converts it into dextrin and maltose. Though starch
Acinus digestion starts in the mouth, major part of it occurs in
stomach, because food stays only for a short time in
the mouth.
Mucus cell Optimum pH necessary for the activation of salivary
amylase is 6. Salivary amylase cannot act on cellulose.

Serous Basement membrane

cell Maltase

FIGURE 35.2: Diagram showing acini and duct system in Maltase is present only in traces in human saliva and it
converts maltose into glucose.
salivary glands
 Sallva

System
Digestive
Section 4:
232
0.5%
gases:
Solids and

Water: 99.5%

I n o r g a n i cs u b s t a n c e s
Gases

Organic substances

1. S o d i u m
O t h e r o r g a n i c s u b s t a n c e s

2. Calcium
3. Potassium
1. Oxygen
4. Bicarbonate
2. Carbon dio
Enzymes
5. Bromidde
3. Nitrogen
6. Chloridde
1. Mucin 7. Fluoride
2. Albumin
3. Proline-rich proteins 8. Phosphate

4. Lactoferrin
1 .Amylase (ptyalin)

2. Maltase
5. IgA antigens
Blood group absent in saliva
3. Lingual lipase 6. amino
acids Normally, glucose i
4. Lysozyme 8
Free
7.. N on-protein nitrogenous
during
diabetes mel
found in saliva
But, it is
5. P h o s p h a t a s e substances: Urea,
6. Carbonicanhydrase
uric acid, creatinine,
7. Kallikrein xanthine, hypoxanthine

of saliva.
FIGURE 35.3: Composition

in sali.
proteins present
ii. Proline-rich
and neutralize th
property
Lingual Lipase It is
microbial
tannins.
Tannins are pre.
lipid-digesting
(lipolytic) enzyme. stances, e.g. fruits
is a the posterior substances including
Lingual lipase situated on
glands
food
has antimicro
of saliva also
seroUs
secreted from fats (pre-emulsified
Lactoferrin
tongue. t
digests milk iv. pro
aspect of fatty acids and dia- and lactoferrin
triglycerides into V. Proline-rich proteins
It hydrolyzes
fats). enamel formation
by stimulating
a n t i b a

cylglycerol (Table 35.3).

Vi. Immunoglobulin
saliva also
IgA in na
PROTECTIVE FUNCTIONS
4. CLEANSING AND and antiviral actions protects theme
secretion of saliva, the mouth Vli. Mucin present in the saliva
protecis m o u t h

the constant
i. Due to
rinsed and kept free
of food debris.
ubricating the m u c o u s
membrane ol
and teeth are particles. In this
cells and foreign
shed epithelial
prevents bacterial growth by removing
5 . ROLE IN SPEECH
way, saliva serve as Culture media for thee o fmo
materials, which may omes

bacterial growth By moistening and lubricating soft pa

i. Enzyme lysozyme
of saliva klls some bacteria such lips, saliva helps in speech If the mouth m e s d i f f c u l t

Staphylococcus, Streptococcus and Brucella. articulation and pronunciation become

as
 Chapter

TABLE 35.3: Digostive onzymes of saliva

Action
Source of secretion Activation
Enzyme
Acid medium Converts starch into maltose
All salivary glands
Salivary amylase Converts maltose into glucose
Major salivary glands Acid medium
Maltase fat into fatty acids and
Converts triglycerides of milk
Lingual glands Acid medium diacylglycerol
Lingual lipase

Superior salivatory nucleus

EXCRETORY FUNCTION

organic and inorganic,

are
substances, both
Many like mercury,
excretedin saliva. It excretes substancesSaliva also
Nervus intermedius

iodide, lead and thiocyanate.

potassium rabies and of Wrisberg
excreies some viruses such as those causing
Geniculate ganglion
mumps. excretes
conditions, saliva
In s o m e pathological saliva un-
a r e not found in
substances, which
certain Example is glucose
in diabe-
normal conditions. Facial nerve (VII)
der s o m e of the normal
In certain conditions,
tes mellitus. saliva are excreted in large quantities.
constituents of excreted in saliva during
excess urea is
For example, calcium is excreted during hyper-
and excess
nephritis
parathyroidism. Chorda tympani (VIl)
TEMPERATURE

REGULATION OF BODY Preganglionic fiber.

e x c e s s i v e dripping
of saliva during
dogs and cattle, of body
In loss of heat and
regulation
panting helps in the glands
sweat
-Lingual nerve (V)
human beings,
However, in saliva
temperature. regulation and
a major role
in temperature
play role in this
function. Submaxillary ganglion
not play any
does
BALANCE
OF WATER
REGULATION
18. salivary
water c o n t e n t
decreases, Postganglionic fibers
When the body causes dryness of
decreases. This
secretion also When water is taken,
induces thirst. water Submaxillary gland
mouth and body
the r e s t o r e s the
the thirst and
it quenches Sublingual gland
content.
SECRETION
Parasympathetic nerve supply to submaxillary
OF sALIVARY FIGURE 35.4:
REGULATION
nervous
and sublingual glands.
is regulated
only by
Salivary
secretion
n e r v o u s system
is involved in
mechanism.
Autonomic
PARAsYMPATHETIC FIBERS
secretion.
salivary
the regulation of Parasympathetic
Fibers to
Submandibular and
GLANDS
SALIVARY
sUPPLY TO Sublingual Glands
NERVE
parasympathetic
supplied by
both fibers to submandibular
glands are
sys- Parasympathetic preganglionic
Salivary nervous

glands arise from the superior salivatory

autonomic
divisions of
and sympathetic and sublingual
tem.
 CHAPTER OUTLINE
FUNCTIONAL ANATOMY OF sTOMACH
GLANDS OF STOMACH: GASTRIC GLANDS
FUNCTIONS OF STOMACH
AND COMPOsITION OF GASTRIC JUICE
PROPERTIES
FUNCTIONS OF GASTRIC JUICE
SECRETION OF GASTRIC JUICE
REGULATION OF GASTRIC SECRETION
COLLECTION OF GASTRIC JUICE
GASTRIC FUNCTION TESTS: GASTRIC ANALYSIS
APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY: GASTRIC DISORDERS

2. Fundus
FUNCTIONAL ANATOMY OF STOMACH
Fundus is small dome-shaped structure. It is elevated
a
Stomach is hollow organ situated just below the dia-
a
in the abdominal cavity. Volume above the level of esophageal opening.
phragm on the left side
normal conditions,
of empty stomach is 50 mL. Under
1.5 L of solids and 3. Body or Corpus
it can expand to accommodate 1 to
liquids. However, it is capable of expanding still further is the largest part of stomach forming about
75 to
Body the
below
up to 4 L. 80% of the whole stomach. It extends from just
fundus up to the pyloric region (Fig. 36.1).
PARTS OF STOMACH
In humans, stomach has four parts: 4. Pyloric Region
1. Cardiac region canal.
Pyloric region has two parts, antrum and pyloric
2. Fundus The body of stomach ends in antrum. Junction between
called
3. Body or corpus body and antrum is marked by an angular notch
4. Pyloric region. incisura angularis. Antrum is continued as the narrow

canal, which is called pyloric canal or pyloric end.

1. Cardiac Region Pyloric canal opens into first part of small intestine called
Cardiac region or cardiac end is the upper part of the duodenum. The opening of pyloric canal is guarded by
stomach where esophagus opens. This opening is a sphincter called pyloric sphincter. It opens towards
guarded by a sphincter called cardiac sphincter, which duodenum.
towards stomach. Sphincter is a circular Stomach has two Curvatures. One on the right side
opens only
muscle that surrounds and closes an opening in the is lesser curvature and the other on left side is greater
curvature.
body
 1 Fundl

Section 4 o p h a I 9
glands: Situate

2 Pyloric glands
undus

stomach
3 Cardiac glands
Cardia regon
Body stomach

Lesser cuvature
Greater
STRUCTURE O
Pylorus Curvature
1. Fundic Glands

Fundic glands are

Antrum

glands (Fig. 36.2).

Each gland has
thr
Duodenum

Cells of fundic gl-

FIGURE 36.1: Parts of stomach.
i. Chief cells or
ii. Parietal cells a
ISTRUCTURE OF STOMACH WALL ii. Mucus neck c
Stomach wall is formed by four layers of structures. iv. Enteroendocria

1. Outer
v.Enterochroma
Serous Layer vi. Enterochroma
Outer serous layer is formed by peritoneum. vii. Stem cells.
Stem cells div
2. Muscular Layer
glands. Secretor
This layer is made up of three layers of smooth muscle above are given in
fibers, namely inner oblique, middle circular and outer Parietal cells-
longitudinal layers. gland because of
3. Submucus Layer canaliculus). Pari
lumen of the glan=
Submucus layer of stomach wall is
sue, blood vessels, lymph vessels
formed by areolar tis- empty their secre=
and Meissner nerve
plexus. 2. Pyloric
Pyloric Gland
Gland
4. Inner Mucus Layer Pyloric glands ar
Inner mucus glands are forme-
layer is formed by ECL cells.
columnar epithelial mucus-secreting
cells. The gastric
in this layer. Under glands are situated
resting
the stomach is thrown into conditions, the mucosa of
alled rugae. The rugae many folds. These folds are
is distended disappear when the
laver, small
after meals.
Throughout the innerstomach
depressions called
Glands of the stomach gastric pits are mucus
open into these pits. present.
of mucus layer is covered
by 2 mm Inner surface
thick mucus
GLANDS OF STMACH: GoSTD
 1. Fundic glands or main gastric
Esophagus
glands: Situated
in
body glandsof or oxy
and fungdus
Chapter 36: Gastric Secretion
Fundus
2. Pyloric glands: Present in
pyloric stom
the 239
stomach
3. Cardiac glands: Located in the car part 3. Cardiac Glands
ii. Formation of Chyme
Body stomach. rdiac region Gy Cardiac glands are also short and tortuous in structure,
Peristaltic movements of stomach mix the bolus with
nd with many mucus cells. EC cells, ECL cells and chief
cells are also present in the cardiac glands.
gastric juice and convert it into the semisolid material
Greater ISTRUCTURE
OF GASTRICGLANDS known as chyme.
aunature Enteroendocrine and enterochromaffin cells
1. Fundic Glands
2 . DIGESTIVE FUNCTION
Enteroendocrine and enterochromaffin cells of gastric
ntrum
Fundic glands are considered as the glands are given in Table 36.1. Refer functions of gastric
juice.
glands (Fig. 36.2). These glands are long pical gast
Each gland has three parts, viz. an ubu FUNCTIONS OF GASTRIC GLANDS 3 . PROTECTIVE FUNCTION
Duodenum
body, neck and
Cells of fundic glands isthm Function of the gastric gland is to secrete gastric juice. Refer functions of
gastric juice.
Secretory activities of different cells of gastric glands
i. Chief cells or pepsinogen cells and enteroendocrine cells are listed in Table 36.1. 4 . HEMATOPOIETIc FUNCTION
ii. Parietal cells or oxyntic cells
i. Mucus neck cells Refer functions of gastric juice.
FUNCTiONS OF STOMACH
ures iv. Enteroendocrine cells
v. Enterochromaffin (EC) cells or 1 . MECHANICAL FUNCTION 5 . EXCRETORY FUNCTION
vi. Kulchitsky cells
Enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells i. Storage Function Many substances like toxins, alkaloids and metals are
vii. Stem cells excreted through gastric juice.
Food is stored in the stomach for a
Stem
cells divide and long period, i.e.
replace other cells in for 3 to 4 hours and emptied into the intestine
glands. Secretory functions of other gastr The maximum capacity of stomach is
slowly.
up to 1.5 L. Slow
PROPERTIES AND cOMPOSITION OF
cells GASTRIC JUICE
muscle
nd outer
above given in Table 36.1.
are
Parietal cells are different
mentioned emptying of stomach provides enough time for prop-
from other cells
er digestion and absorption of food substances in the Gastric juice is a mixture of secretions from different
gland because of the of the small intestine. gastric glands.
presence of canaliculi
canaliculus). Parietal cells (singular
empty their secretions
=

lumen of the into the PROPERTIES OF GASTRIC JUICE

gland through the canaliculi. TABLE 36.1: Secretory function of cells in
empty their secretions But,
directly into lumen of theother cels
eolar tis- glands of stomach.
1. Volume 1,200 to 1,500 mL/day
er nerve 2.
Pyloric Glands gland. Cells Secretory products 2. Reaction Gastric juice is highly acidic with
a pH of 0.9 to 1.2.
Pyloric glands are short and Pepsinogen Acidity of gastric juice is due to the
glands are
ECL cells.
formed by G cells, tortuous in nature. These Chief cells or pepsinogen cells
Rennin
Lipase presence of hydrochloric acid
mucus cells, EC cells and 3.
creting Gelatinasse Specific gravity: 1.004
Situated Urase
cosa of
Parietal cells or oxyntic cells Hydrochloric acid
COMPOSITION OF GASTRIC JUICE
blds are Intrinsicfactor of Castle Gastric juice contains 99.5% of water and 0.5%
solids.
tomach Gastric pit
Mucus neck cells Solids are organic and inorganic substances.
Mucin Refer
mucus Figure 36.3 for composition of
oresent. Mucus neck cell Enterochromaffin (EC) cells gastric juice.
Serotonin
surface Chief cell Enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells Histamine FUNCTIONS OF GASTRIC JUICE
Enteroendocrine cells 1 . DIGESTIVE FUNCTION

ANDS Panetal cell

G cells
Gastrin Gastric juice acts mainly on proteins.
Proteolytic en-
D cells zymes of the gastric juice are pepsin and rennin (Table
tubular Somatostatin
36.2). Gastric juice also contains some other enzymes
These A cells
Glucagon like gastric lipase, gelatinase, urase and
s gastric amyl-
Ghrelin producing cells Ghrelin ase.

MACH Lumen of the Unnamed cells Vasoactive intestinal Pepsin

on the gland polypeptide
Pepsin is secreted as inactive pepsinogen.
Pepsinogen
vasoactive intestinal polypeptide is also secreted by nerve is converted into pepsin by hydrochloric acid. Optimum
endings in stomach. pH for activation of pepsinogen is below 6.
FIGURE 36.2:
Gastric glands.
 Chapter 36: Gastric Becretion 4

TABLE 36.2: Digostive onzymes of gastrlc juic

Activator Substrate End products
Enzyme
1 . Popsin
Hydrochlorlc acid Protolns Proteose, peptones and polypoptides

2. Gastric lipase Acid modium Triglycoridos of buttor Fatty acids and glyceros
3 Gastric amylas Acid modium Slarch Doxtrin and maltose (negligible action)
4 Gelatinase Acid medium Golatin and collagon of moat Poptides
5 . Uraso Acid medium Urea Ammonla

i. Prevents the digestive action of pepsin on the wall of The hydrogen ion is actively pumped into the canaliculus
the stomach, particularly gastric mucosa of parietal cell.
mucosa from hydrochloric acid
ii. Protects the gastric Simultaneously, the chloride ion is also pumped into
of gastric juice because of its alkaline nature and its canaliculus actively. The chloride is derived from sodium
acid-combining power. chloride in the blood. Now, the hydrogen ion combines
with chloride ion to form hydrochloric acid. To compen-
4. FUNCTIONS OF HYDROCHLORIC ACID sate the loss of chloride ion, the bicarbonate ion from
parietal cell enters the blood and combines with sodium
Hydrochloric acid present in gastric juice has following
to form sodium bicarbonate. Thus, the entire process is
functions
summarized as (Fig. 36.4):
i Bactericidal action: HCI kills some bacteria that enter
the stomach along with food substances. CO, +H,0+ NaCl HCI+ NaHCO
ii. It activates pepsinogen into pepsin.
i. HCI provides acid medium necessary for the action Factors Influencing Secretion of Hydrochloric Acid
of hormones Factors influencing secretion of hydrochloric acid are
listed in Box 36.1.
SECRETION OF GASTRIC JUICE
REGULATION OF GASTRIc SECRETION
SECRETION OF PEPSINOGEN
Pepsinogen is synthesized from amino acids in the Regulation of gastric secretion and intestinal secretion
is studied by some experimental procedures.
ribosomes attached to endoplasmic reticulum in chief
cells. Pepsinogen molecules are packed into zymogen
granules by Golgi apparatus.
When zymogen granule is secreted into stomach
CO2
from chief cells, the granule is dissolved and pepsinogen
is released into gastric juice. Pepsinogen is activated into
CO+H,Oo
NaHCO Carbonic anhydrase
pepsin by hydrochloric acid.
-HCO,/ H,cO
SECRETION OF HYDROCHLORIC ACID
According toDavenport theory, hydrochloric acid secre- Na HCO
is an active process that takes place in the canali-
fion
culi of parietal cells in gastric glands. The energy for C- C
HCI

this process is derived from oxidation of Canaliculus

glucose.
Carbon dioxide is derived from metabolic activities NaCI
Parietal cell
of parietal cell. Some amount of carbon dioxide is ob-
tained from blood also. It combines with water to form
ECF
carbonic acid in the presence of carbonic anhydrase.
This enzyme is
present in high concentration in parietal
cells. Carbonic acid is the most unstable compound and FIGURE 36.4: Secretion of hydrochloric acid in the parietal
mmediately splits into hydrogen ion and bicarbonate ion. cell of gastric gland.