title: Salivary glands.
abstract: This article discusses the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands, which often are referred to as the major salivary glands. Overall, diseases of the salivary glands are relatively uncommon; however, as an organ system, they have the greatest diversity of pathology. Acute viral and bacterial inflammatory diseases are the most common salivary gland abnormalities; tumors are uncommon. The imaging approach to these lesions is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Mount Sinai School of Medicine, City University of New York, New York, USA.
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Silvers
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Som
mesh_terms: D008949:Adenoma, Pleomorphic / Q000175:diagnosis; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D006801:Humans; D010305:Parotid Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D012466:Salivary Gland Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D012793:Sialadenitis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000821:virology; D013361:Sublingual Gland / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D013363:Submandibular Gland / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D013364:Submandibular Gland Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis