The salivary glands consist of numerous round or oval sacs. The cyst wall consists of serous cells and mucous cells. There are three pairs of salivary glands in the mouth. These are-
1. Sublingual Glands: A pair of sublingual glands are located under the tongue. It consists of numerous round or oval sacs. Each sac has a duct in the center. The ducts join together to form the main duct. It contains mammary cells. Serous cells and mucous cells. Serous cells secrete tylin and maltase and mucous cells secrete mucin.
2. Sub mandibular/maxillary glands: The lower jaw has a pair of sub mandibular glands. Each gland opens on the side of the frenulum of the tongue through the duct of Warton.
3. Parotid Gland: It is the largest salivary gland. A total of one pair of parotid glands are located under both ears. Each gland opens into the vestibule through Stensen’s duct. Mumps causes swelling and painful inflammation of the parotid gland due to viral infection.