[Neural regulation of salivary gland secretion]

Abstract

Efferent nerves, involved in the regulation of salivary secretion, consist of secretory, motoric and vasomotoric fibers; afferent sensoric nerves are a further component of the salivary gland innervation. Cholinergic nerves regulate primarily the salivary flow rate and Na secretion. Salivary protein secretion (i.e. parotid amylase) is mediated by adrenergic mechanisms. Among physiologic stimuli regulating salivary secretion the taste plays a prominent role. Different taste constituents stimulate parotid secretion in a specific way: fructose increases amylase content in parotid saliva (beta-adrenergic pathway), citric acid increases salivary flow rate (cholinergic pathway). The role of gut and neuropeptides in the regulation of human salivary secretion deserves further investigation.