Bma Illustrated Medical Dictionary

down carbohydrates (see digestive sys-

tem). Saliva keeps the mouth moist,

lubricates food to aid swallowing, and

facilitates the sense of taste.

salivary glandsThree pairs of glands

that secrete saliva, via ducts, into the

mouth. The largest, the parotid glands,

lie on each side of the jaw; the sublin-

gual glands lie on the floor of the front

of the mouth; and the submandibular

glands lie near the back of the mouth.

The parotid glands are commonly in-

fected with the mumpsvirus. Stones

may form in a salivary duct or gland.

Poor oral hygienemay allow bacterial

infection of the glands, sometimes

leading to an abscess. Salivary gland

tumours are rare, except for a type of

parotid tumour that is slow-growing,

noncancerous, and painless. Insuffi-

cient salivation causes a dry mouth (see

mouth, dry) and may be due to dehydra-

tionor Sjögren’s syndrome, or it may

occur as a side effect of certain drugs.

salivation, excessiveThe production of

too much saliva. Excess salivation some-

times occurs during pregnancy. Other

causes include mouth problems such as

irritation of the mouth lining, gingivitis,

or mouth ulcers; digestive tract disorders

such as peptic ulcersand oesophagitis;

and nervous system disorders such as

Parkinson’s disease. In some cases, it

may be reduced by anticholinergic drugs.

salmeterolA bronchodilator drugused

in the treatment of asthma. The drug is

usually inhaled twice a day to prevent

asthma attacks. Side effects may include

slight tremor, agitation, insomnia, and,

rarely, a rapid heartbeat.

salmonella infectionsInfections due to

any of the salmonella group of bacteria.

One type of salmonella causes typhoid

fever; others commonly result in bac-

terial food poisoning, most often through

contamination of hens’ eggs or chicken.

Infants, the elderly, and people who are

debilitated are most susceptible.

Symptoms of salmonella food poison-

ing usually develop suddenly 12–24

hours after infection and include head-

ache, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhoea,

and sometimes fever. The symptoms

usually last for only 2 or 3 days, but, in

severe cases, dehydrationor septicaemia

may develop.

Treatment is by rehydration therapy. In

severe cases, fluid replacement by intra-

venous infusionmay be needed.

salmon patchSee stork mark.

salpingectomySurgical removal of one

or both fallopian tubes. Salpingectomy

may be performed if the tube is infected

(see salpingitis) or to treat ectopic preg-

nancy. (See also salpingo-oophorectomy.)

salpingitisInflammation of a fallopian

tube, commonly caused by infection

spreading up from the vagina, cervix, or

uterus. The infection is usually a sexually

transmitted one, such as gonorrhoea or

chlamydial infection. Salpingitis is also a

feature of pelvic inflammatory disease.

Symptoms include severe abdominal

pain and fever. Pus may collect in the

tube, and a pelvic abscessmay develop.

Diagnosis is by examination of vaginal

discharge, or laparoscopy. Treatment is

with antibiotics. Surgery may be needed

if an abscess has formed.

If the infection damages the inside of

the fallopian tubes, infertilityor an

increased risk of an ectopic pregnancy

may result. In some cases, damage to a

tube can be corrected surgically.

salpingo-oophorectomyRemoval of

one or both fallopian tubesand ovaries.

This may be performed to treat a benign

ovarian cyst. It may also be performed

together with a hysterectomyto treat

SALIVARY GLANDS SALPINGO-OOPHORECTOMY

S

Parotid gland

SALIVARY GLANDS

Tooth Salivary duct

Tongue

Sublingual gland

Submandibular gland