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.