 |
| Salivary Glands |
Salivary glands are responsible for producing saliva, which keeps the mouth moist, aids in swallowing and digestion, and helps fight infection. The glands are divided into the major and minor glands. There are three pairs of major salivary glands: the parotid glands (side of face/jaw), the submandibular glands (just below the jaw), and the sublingual glands (in the floor of the mouth). There are also nearly 1,000 tiny minor salivary glands found throughout the head and neck area.
According to the American Cancer Society, about 80% of salivary gland tumors arise in the parotid glands, 10-15% in the submandibular glands, and 5-10% in the sublingual and minor salivary glands. |