US Medical Term · anatomy
Salivary Glands
Glándulas salivales
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Salivary Glands |
| Spanish (Español) | Glándulas salivales |
| Chinese (中文) | 唾液腺 |
| Korean (한국어) | 침샘 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Tuyến nước bọt |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Glandula ng laway |
| Portuguese (Português) | Glândulas salivares |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | ต่อมน้ำลาย |
| Japanese (日本語) | 唾液腺 |
What it means
The salivary glands are organs that produce saliva, the clear liquid that keeps your mouth moist, begins digesting food, and helps protect teeth from decay. There are three pairs of major salivary glands: the parotid glands (the largest, located in front of and below each ear), the submandibular glands (under the jaw), and the sublingual glands (under the tongue). Hundreds of tiny minor salivary glands are also scattered throughout the mouth. Saliva contains enzymes that break down starches, antibodies that fight bacteria, and proteins that lubricate the mouth and throat. When salivary glands become blocked by stones, infected, or affected by diseases like Sjogren's syndrome or cancer, they can become swollen and painful.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
My jaw below my ear is swollen and painful — could it be a salivary gland problem?
La mandíbula debajo de mi oreja está hinchada y dolorosa — ¿podría ser un problema de las glándulas salivales?
The doctor said I have a stone blocking my salivary gland.
El doctor dijo que tengo un cálculo que bloquea mi glándula salival.
My mouth is so dry since starting the new medication — is it affecting my salivary glands?
Mi boca está muy seca desde que empecé el nuevo medicamento — ¿está afectando mis glándulas salivales?
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026