Question

How many pairs of salivary glands are there in humans.
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4

Answer 1

Salivary glands produce saliva, which is then emptied into your mouth through ducts. Saliva aids in the swallowing and chewing of food. It can also aid in the prevention of infections in the mouth and throat. Salivary glands are divided into two types: the most important salivary glands, the salivary glands that make up the small salivary glands.

Complete answer:
Exocrine glands that create saliva are known as salivary glands. Parotid glands (1 pair), submandibular glands (1 pair), and sublingual glands (1 pair) are the three types of salivary glands that come in pairs (1 pair).
As a result, the right answer is option C. '3'.

The largest and most significant salivary glands are the major salivary glands. They are responsible for the majority of saliva production in your mouth.

The parotid glands, submandibular glands, and sublingual glands are the three primary salivary gland pairs.

Glands of the Parotid:
The largest salivary glands are the parotid glands. They are directly in front of the ears. A duct near your upper second molar secretes the saliva produced by these glands into your mouth.

The superficial lobe and the deep lobe are the two components, or lobes, of each parotid gland. The facial nerve runs between the two lobes. Because it governs your capacity to close your eyes, raise your brows, and smile, the facial nerve is crucial.

The external carotid artery, a key blood supply to the head and neck region, and the retromandibular vein, a branch of the jugular vein, are both important structures near the parotid glands.

Glands of the Submandibular Bone:
The submandibular glands are positioned below the jaw and are about the size of a walnut. Under the tongue, the saliva produced by these glands is released into the mouth.

The superficial lobe and the deep lobe of the submandibular glands are similar to those of the parotid glands. The following structures are located nearby:

The mandibular nerve on the side of your mouth that allows you to grin.
The platysma muscle is a muscle that allows you to move your bottom lip.
The lingual nerve is responsible for sensation in the tongue.
The hypoglossal nerve provides movement in the portion of your tongue that aids speaking and swallowing.

Glands beneath the tongue:
The sublingual glands are the tiniest salivary glands in the body. These almond-shaped structures can be found beneath the mouth's floor and on each side of the tongue.

Tumors that begin in these glands are extremely rare.

Glands of the Minor Salivary System:
Throughout the mouth and the aerodigestive tract, there are hundreds of small salivary glands. These glands, unlike the large salivary glands, are too small to discern without a microscope. The majority of them can be found on the inside of the cheeks, tongue, and roof of the mouth, as well as inside the nose, sinuses, and larynx (voice box).

Minor tumours of the salivary glands are relatively uncommon. They are, nevertheless, more likely to be malignant than benign. The roof of the mouth is the most common location for cancers of the small salivary glands.

Note:-
Every day, humans produce between 0.5 and 1.5 litres of saliva. Saliva secretion (salivation) is mediated by parasympathetic stimulation; the active neurotransmitter, acetylcholine, binds to muscarinic receptors in the glands, causing greater salivation. The tubarial glands, discovered in 2020, are the fourth pair of salivary glands. They are named after their location, which is in front of and over the torus tubarius. This finding from one study, however, has to be validated.