Carolina learned she had a salivary stone blocking the submandibular duct connecting her submandibular gland to the oral cavity. Determine the impact of this blockage on saliva production and chemical digestion in the mouth

What will be an ideal response?


The submandibular glands secrete the majority of the total saliva released into the mouth. Saliva contains salivary amylase which is the first digestive enzyme that ingested food encounters. Salivary amylase initiates catalysis of carbohydrate digestion, breaking down large polysaccharides into smaller polysaccharides (oligosaccharides). Since Carolina's stone blocks the duct of an important salivary gland, salivation and carbohydrate digestion may be impaired.

Anatomy & Physiology

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