Saliva Secretion And Functions

Health professionals are more and more aware of the importance of saliva for oral health and well-being. As saliva secretion is steadily compromised with advancing age, it becomes a factor of concern in societies with an aging population, especially with a growing number of people who keep their own teeth. The numerous functions of saliva, like antimicrobial activity, lubrication, wound healing and its role in taste experience are only truly recognized when saliva secretion is hampered. In medical diagnostics, saliva shows its value as a safe and economical alternative to blood. This publication provides a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in salivary research by some of the world’s leading experts in the field. Chapters deal with various aspects: anatomy and physiology, e.g. regeneration of salivary glands, saliva functions, e.g. its protective and rheological properties, and diagnostics and disorders, e.g. xerostomia and hypersalivation. This book is not only recommended to basic scientists working in the field of oral biology, but also to dental students, dentists and health professionals who want to know more about one of the most underestimated bodily fluids.

Salivary Diagnostics surveys one of the most exciting areas of research in oral biology. Regarded as the mirror of the body, saliva has immense potential to yield real clinical improvements in our ability to diagnose, and hence treat, oral and systemic conditions. The composition of saliva and other oral fluids reflects the tissue fluid levels of therapeutic, hormonal, and immunological molecules, as well as the presence of markers for systemic and oral disease.

This volume provides an overview of the latest research findings on the physics, physiology, and psychology of food oral consumption, as well as the experimental techniques available for food oral studies. Coverage includes the main physical and physiological functionalities of the mouth; the location and functionalities of various oral receptors; the main sequences of eating and drinking, and the concomitant food disintegration and destabilisation. Chapters also explain oral processing and its relation to flavour release and texture perception, and there is an introduction to the principles of food rheology as they relate to eating. Food Oral Processing is directed at food scientists and technologists in industry and academia, especially those involved in sensory science and new product development. It will also be of interest to oral physiologists, oral biologists and dentists. The book will be a useful reference for undergraduate and postgraduate students of these disciplines.

This is the first book for some years that provides a comprehensive overview of food oral processing including the biomechanics of swallowing, the biophysics of mouthfeel and texture as well as the biochemistry of flavours and how food microstructures can be manipulated.

Saliva is essential for oral health and influences all events in the mouth. In 1850 Ludwig discovered that autonomic nerve impulses evoke salivary secretion and all work since has shown that the nerves normally control the flow and protein output of saliva. This publication, written by international experts, is the first one devoted to the neuroglandular mechanisms of this control. The book lays a sound platform of knowledge to all with an interest in and around the mouth including dentists, doctors, pharmacologists, biochemists and cell biologists as well as neurobiologists working on autonomic nerve activities.

Salivary Glands and their Secretions covers the proceedings of the conference held at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington, U.S.A. The book focuses on the structure and functions of secreting organs and the composition, mechanism, and control of secretions. The selection first reviews the comparative aspects of the structure and functions of the salivary glands; electron microscopy of induced changes in the salivary glands of rats; and the action of thyroid and adrenal glands on the submaxillary glands of mice. The book then takes a look at hormonal influences on the cytology and physiology of salivary glands and hormones and inanition. The book ponders on studies on the physiology of rat and mouse submaxillary glands and hormonal control of the nerve growth factor content in the submaxillary glands of mice. The text also examines central nervous representation of salivary secretion, secretory nerves of the salivary glands, and changes in salivary flow produced by variations in fluid and electrolyte balance. The selection is a valuable source of data for readers interested in the structure and functions of the salivary glands.

This second volume of Defining Physiology: Principles, Themes, Concepts. continues on the same format as the first. In this new release, a selection of 44 essential topics in each major organ system is defined, then major themes, concept and principles surrounding these words in their physiologic scenarios are elaborated. For each keyword, a question is posed at the end of the text to test for a better understanding of the associated physiology of nervous and gastrointestinal systems. This book presents an easy reference guide for those just starting out in the area of physiology and for those who are interested in clear and succinct definitions of key terms.

The salivary glands are well-known digestive organs with a highly branched duct system and a compound acinar gland. There are 3 pairs of major salivary glands and 600-1000 minor salivary glands in humans. This book discusses the anatomy, functions in digestion and role in disease of salivary glands. Topics include salivary gland structure and regulation of saliva secretion in health and disease; complications of parotid gland surgery; organogenesis and morphogenesis; anatomic and histological features of the salivary glands; regeneration and stem cell therapy; the role of transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 1 in the saliva secretion of the submandibular gland; substances in saliva; fluid secretion and channel/transporter proteins; and replacing tears with saliva in severe dry eye syndrome.