# What are the salivary glands?

The salivary glands is called the salivary glands. Gray's Anatomy (1918) describes it as three pairs of large glands — parotid, submandibular, and sublingual — plus many small ones.

## What it means

- Three pairs of large glands — parotid, submandibular, and sublingual — plus many small ones.
- Produce saliva.
- Saliva moistens food, begins the digestion of starch, and lubricates the mouth.

## Action steps

1. Around the mouth and jaw.
2. The parotid lies in front of and below the ear.
3. The submandibular and sublingual glands lie in the floor of the mouth.

## Sources

- [Gray's Anatomy of the Human Body (1918)](https://www.bartleby.com/107/)

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