what is the function of the parotid salivary gland
The parotid gland (often simply parotid) is a major salivary gland in many animals.In humans, the two parotid glands occur under the mouth and in front of both ears. They are the largest of the salivary glands.Each parotid is wrapped around the mandibular ramus, and secretes saliva through the Stensen duct (or parotid duct) into the mouth, to facilitate mastication and swallowing and to begin the digestion of starches. The word parotid (paraotic) literally means beside the ear.he parotid gland also secretes salivary alpha-amylase (sAA), which is the first step in the decomposition of starches during mastication. It is the main exocrine gland to secrete this. It breaks down amylose (straight chain starch) and amylopectin (branched starch) by hydrolyzing alpha 1,4 bonds.