salivary gland

noun

Anatomy.

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

salivary gland

noun

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

salivary gland

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of salivary gland¹

First recorded in 1700–10

Example Sentences

She underwent an operation which included the removal of her salivary glands, causing her to temporarily lose her sense of smell and taste.

Read more on BBC

She was told she required parotidectomy surgery which involved removing part of a major salivary gland in her cheek called the parotid gland.

Read more on BBC

She was initially told that, to remove the pleomorphic adenoma, surgeons would have to cut out her largest salivary gland, which contains the facial nerve.

Read more on BBC

This included the removal of her teeth and salivary glands, the use of a wheelchair and the insertion of a feeding tube, according to Blanchard.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Although Gypsy was never diagnosed with the neurological disorder, her salivary glands were removed.

Read more on Salon