salivary gland

/ˌsæləˈvɛri glænd/

/ˈsælɪvɛri glænd/

Other forms: salivary glands

Definitions of salivary gland

1. noun

   any of three pairs of glands in the mouth and digestive system that secrete saliva for digestion
   types:

   parotid gland

   a large salivary gland that produces 50% of daytime saliva; in human beings it is located in front of and below each ear

   sublingual gland, sublingual salivary gland

   a small salivary gland that produces mucin (the viscous component of saliva); in human beings it is located on either side of the mouth under the tongue

   mandibular gland, submandibular gland, submandibular salivary gland, submaxillary gland, submaxillary salivary gland

   a salivary gland inside the lower jaw on either side that produces most of the nocturnal saliva; discharges saliva into the mouth under the tongue

   type of:

   duct gland, exocrine, exocrine gland

   a gland that secretes externally through a duct