Benign Pediatric Salivary Gland Lesions

The salivary glands, of which there are three pairs known as the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands, play a crucial role in maintaining oral health and initiating the digestive process. Positioned near the ears, beneath the masseter muscle, the parotid glands secrete saliva into the oral cavity through the parotid duct of Stensen. Meanwhile, the submandibular glands, located on the floor of the mouth, secrete saliva through channels named submandibular ducts. The sublingual glands,...

A thorough mouth assessment, including inspection and palpation of the lips, gums, tongue, tonsils, uvula, and pharynx, is crucial in detecting potential health issues. Diseases ranging from oral cancer to systemic conditions like diabetes could be identified early through careful oral examination. This article provides a detailed guide on conducting a comprehensive mouth assessment.
Mouth Inspection
The inspection begins with visually examining the mouth for symmetry, color, and size.

Exocrine glands produce and release a variety of glandular products. Exocrine glands can be classified into serous, mucous, or mixed types based on their secretory products.
Serous glands produce watery secretions rich in digestive enzymes and proteins. The constituent cells of the serous gland have centrally located nuclei and eosinophilic secretory granules in the cytoplasm. The parotid gland is an example of a serous gland. It secretes saliva, which contains enzymes, such as lipases and...

A sebaceous gland is a type of oil gland found almost all over the skin ( except palms and soles) and helps lubricate and waterproof the skin and hair. Most sebaceous glands are associated with hair follicles. They generate and excrete sebum, a mixture of lipids, onto the skin surface, thereby naturally lubricating the dry and dead layer of keratinized cells of the stratum corneum, keeping it pliable.
These glands that produce the oils on the skin and hair are holocrine glands. The mature...

Exocrine glands are classified as unicellular and multicellular. The unicellular glands are scattered single cells, such as goblet cells, found in the mucous membranes of the small and large intestines. On the other hand, multicellular exocrine glands develop as secretory sheets, like the internal lining of the abdomen or chest. Such secretory sheets release their secretions directly into the lumen of these organs. In addition, some multicellular glands have deep-seated secretory units to...

Acne is a multifactorial skin condition primarily affecting adolescents and young adults, with a global prevalence estimated to exceed 75% in this demographic. The condition is characterized by the formation of comedones (blackheads and whiteheads), papules, pustules, nodules, and, in severe cases, cysts, particularly in areas rich in sebaceous glands such as the face, neck, chest, and back. The pathogenesis involves increased sebum production, follicular hyperkeratinization, colonization by...