salivary gland

American  

noun

Anatomy.

1. any of several glands, as the submaxillary glands, that secrete saliva.

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salivary gland British  

noun

1. any of the glands in mammals that secrete saliva. In man the chief salivary glands are the parotid, sublingual and submaxillary glands

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salivary gland Scientific  

/ săl′ə-vĕr′ē /

1. A gland in terrestrial animals that secretes saliva. In humans, three pairs of large glands, which include the parotid glands, secrete saliva into the mouth.

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Etymology

Origin of salivary gland

First recorded in 1700–10

Example Sentences

Suzy Spence, from Carrickfergus in County Antrim, was diagnosed with a tumour in her salivary gland in December 2023 and was warned that a cancer diagnosis could not be ruled out.

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2025

The researchers suggest salivary gland ionocytes probably regulate saliva pH and viscosity and secrete the growth factor that is crucial for salivary gland repair.

From Scientific American • Jul. 22, 2022

The chromosomes depicted here were isolated from a fruit fly’s salivary gland, stained with dye, and visualized under a microscope.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Over the years, Rush has also experienced health problems and underwent surgery in in 2008 to have a cancerous tumor in his salivary gland removed.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 3, 2022

A salivary gland in front of Garfield's right ear swelled.

From "Ambushed!" by Gail Jarrow