Which Salivary Gland Is the Largest?

Written by Colby Maxwell
Published: February 3, 2023
Share on:

Advertisement


We are all familiar with the effects of the salivary glands in the human body, even if we don’t know a lot about them. These interesting glands are found in different places in the human head, and there are actually different types of them! Each has a unique purpose. Today, we are going to explore one of them. Specifically, we will be learning which salivary gland is the largest (plus a lot more). Let’s get started!

What Is a Salivary Gland?

Salivary glands are a group of glands in the human body that produce and secrete saliva. Saliva is a clear, watery liquid that is secreted into the mouth. It helps to moisten food, making it easier to swallow. In common terms, saliva is often referred to as “spit.” “Saliva” is used in medical and scientific settings, because it’s more accurate.

Saliva plays a crucial role in the digestive process. It contains enzymes that begin to break down carbohydrates and fats in food. This makes it easier for the stomach and small intestine to process. Saliva also helps to neutralize acids in the mouth, protecting teeth and the oral cavity from acid erosion. Additionally, saliva contains antibodies and other substances that help to protect against infection. Without it, our food would be tougher to digest, our teeth would rot, and our mouths would smell really bad!

There are several different types of salivary glands in the human body, each with a specific location. The three major pairs of salivary glands are the parotid glands, located just in front of the ears; the submandibular glands, located just below the jaw; and the sublingual glands, located just below the tongue. There are also several smaller salivary glands located throughout the mouth and throat.

What Is the Largest Salivary Gland in the Human Body?

Woman Massaging Parotid Gland

The largest salivary gland in the human body, the parotid gland, is just in front of the ears on each side of the face.

©aijiro/Shutterstock.com

The parotid gland is the largest of the salivary glands in the human body. It is located just in front of the ears, on either side of the face. The parotid gland is responsible for producing and secreting a significant portion of the saliva in the mouth. Statistically, the parotid gland produces 10% of all mouth saliva at rest and 25% when eating.

The parotid gland has a direct impact on the process of digestion, as the saliva it produces contains enzymes that break down food. This helps make it easier for the stomach and small intestine to process the food. It also allows humans to get more nutrients out of the food we eat. Additionally, the saliva produced by the parotid gland helps to neutralize acids in the mouth, protecting teeth and the oral cavity from acid erosion and plaque buildup.

It also plays a role in protecting against infection, as the saliva produced by the parotid gland contains antibodies and other substances that help to fight off bacteria and viruses. The parotid gland is also involved in taste perception, as the saliva it produces helps to enhance the taste of food.

Part of a Bigger System

Like most anatomical structures, the parotid glands don’t operate in isolation. In fact, the gland is connected to a duct, known as Stensen’s duct, which carries the saliva produced by the gland to the upper molar teeth in the mouth, where it is eventually released as needed. The sublingual and submandibular glands, on the other hand, are connected to a different duct called Wharton’s duct, which transports the saliva produced by these glands to the floor of the mouth.

In terms of appearance, the parotid gland has a shape similar to an upside-down pyramid, with a wider top and a tapered bottom that sits near the jawline. The outer surface of the gland is covered in lymph nodes, while the inner surface rests against the jaw and masseter muscle. The parotid gland is divided into two lobes by the facial nerve, known as the superficial lobe and the deep lobe.

Possible Issues With the Parotid Glands

There are several issues or diseases that can impact the parotid glands. One common issue is inflammation of the gland, also known as parotitis. This can be caused by a viral infection or by blockages in the ducts that carry saliva from the gland.

Another issue that can impact the parotid gland is a benign tumor, such as a pleomorphic adenoma, which is a non-cancerous tumor that grows slowly. Some other benign tumors that can occur in the parotid gland include Warthin’s tumor and basal cell adenoma. Malignant tumors can also occur in the parotid gland, such as squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. These types of tumors are cancerous and can spread to other parts of the body if not treated immediately.

Thankfully, the dangerous and life-threatening conditions associated with the parotid glands aren’t very common.

Up Next…

The photo featured at the top of this post is © aijiro/Shutterstock.com


Share on:
About the Author

Colby is a writer at A-Z Animals primarily covering outdoors, unique animal stories, and science news. Colby has been writing about science news and animals for five years and holds a bachelor's degree from SEU. A resident of NYC, you can find him camping, exploring, and telling everyone about what birds he saw at his local birdfeeder.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.