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Salivary gland
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<p>The salivary glands in many <a href="/facts/Vertebrate/tT54FSTT">vertebrates</a> including <a href="/facts/Mammal/phSwTzBo">mammals</a> are <a href="/facts/Exocrine_gland/svLWvb83">exocrine glands</a> that produce <a href="/facts/Saliva/gK4nvayc">saliva</a> through a system of <a href="/facts/Duct_(anatomy)/sP5vP2G9">ducts</a>. Humans have three paired major salivary glands (<a href="/facts/Parotid_gland/H4tPjP4D">parotid</a>, <a href="/facts/Submandibular_gland/qBKM1P31">submandibular</a>, and <a href="/facts/Sublingual_gland/mjQ9fSo9">sublingual</a>), as well as hundreds of minor salivary glands. Salivary glands can be classified as <a href="/facts/Serous_gland/7mdANfX6">serous</a>, <a href="/facts/Mucous_gland/aK6zNgDc">mucous</a>, or <a href="/facts/Seromucous_gland/svLWvb83">seromucous</a> (mixed). </p><p>In <a href="/facts/Serous_fluid/LLgNVbvp">serous secretions</a>, the main type of protein secreted is <a href="/facts/Alpha-amylase/6xXvngle">alpha-amylase</a>, an <a href="/facts/Enzyme/DSI1Fh7y">enzyme</a> that breaks down <a href="/facts/Starch/gHAqGfJb">starch</a> into <a href="/facts/Maltose/v43CVtaU">maltose</a> and <a href="/facts/Glucose/oUSkoLCD">glucose</a>, whereas in <a href="/facts/Mucus/hnlBuHAy">mucous secretions</a>, the main protein secreted is <a href="/facts/Mucin/6a0nR12B">mucin</a>, which acts as a <a href="/facts/Lubricant/9PXISDwU">lubricant</a>. </p><p>In humans, 1200 to 1500 ml of saliva are produced every day. The secretion of saliva (salivation) is mediated by <a href="/facts/Parasympathetic_nervous_system/eNzCI8Yu">parasympathetic stimulation</a>; <a href="/facts/Acetylcholine/v1d3wRUd">acetylcholine</a> is the active <a href="/facts/Neurotransmitter/LlpYFSU3">neurotransmitter</a> and binds to <a href="/facts/Muscarinic_acetylcholine_receptor_M1/ne0YBBqI">muscarinic receptors</a> in the glands, leading to increased salivation. </p><p>A proposed fourth pair of salivary glands, the <a href="/facts/Tubarial_glands/3owGNdW9">tubarial glands</a>, were first identified in 2020. They are named for their location, being positioned in front of and over the <a href="/facts/Torus_tubarius/aHanyqC7">torus tubarius</a>. However, this finding from one study is yet to be confirmed. </p>