page_title: Salivary gland
section_title: Structure
hierarchical_section_title: Salivary gland / Structure
caption_attribution_description: English: 1 is Parotid gland, 2 is Submandibular gland, 3 is Sublingual gland
context_page_description: The salivary glands in mammals are exocrine glands that produce saliva through a system of ducts. Humans have three paired major salivary glands as well as hundreds of minor salivary glands. Salivary glands can be classified as serous, mucous or seromucous.
  In serous secretions, the main type of protein secreted is alpha-amylase, an enzyme that breaks down starch into maltose and glucose, whereas in mucous secretions the main protein secreted is mucin, which acts as a lubricant.
  In humans, between 0.5 and 1.5 litres of saliva are produced every day. The secretion of saliva is mediated by parasympathetic stimulation; acetylcholine is the active neurotransmitter and binds to muscarinic receptors in the glands, leading to increased salivation.
context_section_description: The salivary glands are detailed below:
caption: Salivary glands: #1 Parotid gland, #2 Submandibular gland, #3 Sublingual gland.
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