Salivary glands

Looks like

Three pairs: in front of the ear, under the jaw and under the tongue, making about a litre a day.

What it does

Wet food, start starch digestion and protect the teeth.

Keeping it well

Drink water, chew sugar-free gum; a lump in front of the ear needs assessment.

Its parts

• Parotid gland
• Submandibular gland
• Sublingual gland

Related conditions

• Bad breath (halitosis)
• Burning mouth syndrome
• Hand, foot and mouth disease
• Lichen planus
• Mouth ulcers (aphthous stomatitis)
• Mumps
• Pemphigus vulgaris
• Salivary gland stones
• Salivary gland tumours
• Sjögren's disease
• Stevens–Johnson syndrome / toxic epidermal necrolysis