Hygiene Atlas

Atlas · Plate IV · Physiology · 05

Saliva

Adults make about 1-1.5 L of saliva a day. At rest the submandibular gland supplies most of it, while the parotid dominates when flow is stimulated. Saliva buffers acid, mainly with bicarbonate, starts starch digestion with amylase and fights microbes with IgA, lysozyme and lactoferrin. An unstimulated flow under 0.1 mL per minute counts as hyposalivation.

High-yield facts · 7

  1. Daily saliva output is roughly 1-1.5 L.S44
  2. Unstimulated flow comes mostly from the submandibular gland (about 60-70%); stimulated flow is dominated by the parotid.S44
  3. Normal unstimulated whole saliva is about 0.3-0.4 mL/min; under 0.1 mL/min is hyposalivation.T2
  4. Normal salivary pH is about 6.2-7.6; bicarbonate is the main buffer.S44
  5. Salivary amylase starts starch digestion; lingual lipase begins fat digestion.S49
  6. Saliva contains IgA, lysozyme, lactoferrin, histatins and peroxidase as antimicrobial defenses.S44
  7. Parasympathetic stimulation produces watery, abundant saliva; sympathetic stimulation produces scant, thick saliva.S49

Facts are written in our own words; each tag links to its source. Values marked "sources vary" differ between references, so check the one your program uses.