Saliva's structure is complex, arising from the glands that produce it, rather than having an inherent structure itself. The saliva itself is a fluid. The structures we should really be focusing on are those responsible for producing it.
Salivary Gland Structure
Saliva is produced by salivary glands. These glands, despite their varied locations, share a core structure:
- Branched Ducts: These ducts act as channels, opening into the oral cavity, allowing saliva to flow into the mouth.
- Acini: These are the glandular secretory end pieces where saliva is produced. These are located at the end of the branched ducts (Salivary glands contain three major cell types: acinar cells, ductal cells, and myoepithelial cells. Despite their different locations, each of these glands shares the same fundamental structure, branched ducts that open into the oral cavity and glandular secretory end pieces, called acini, that produce saliva.29-May-2023).
Cell Types in Salivary Glands
The salivary glands contain three major cell types:
- Acinar Cells: These are responsible for producing the saliva itself, containing enzymes, proteins, and electrolytes.
- Ductal Cells: These cells modify the saliva's composition by absorbing or secreting electrolytes.
- Myoepithelial Cells: These surround the acini and help to contract and expel the saliva into the ducts.
In essence, saliva itself is a fluid, but its origin lies in the structured network of branched ducts and acini within the salivary glands.
