Salivary Glands Surgery
The salivary glands make saliva and empty this into the mouth and throat through small openings. The major salivary glands are the most important as they secrete the majority of saliva.
We have 3 pairs of major salivary glands called the parotid, submandibular and sublingual glands.
- Parotid glands: located just in front and below the ear.
- Submandibular glands: located just below the jaw and are the size of a walnut.
- Sublingual glands: the smallest of the major glands and are located below the tongue on the floor of the mouth.
We have several hundred minor salivary glands in the head and neck most commonly located lining the lips, the tongue, roof of mouth, cheeks, sinuses and around the voice box.
Surgery for the salivary glands may be required to remove cancer, non-cancerous masses, salivary glands which frequently become infected or inflamed or rarely for other benign conditions.
The salivary glands especially the major ones are located near important nerves. Salivary Glands Surgery should be performed by an experienced Head and Neck Surgeon.
Dr. Peter Floros acknowledges and pays respect to the traditional owners of the land on which we meet and work across Australia; we pay our respects to the elders, past, present and emerging. We encourage our staff and clients to join us wherever they are in Australia by being informed about whose land they are on and paying their respects.