salivary glands

The salivary glands in mammals are exocrine glands, glands with ducts, that produce saliva.

They also secrete amylase, an enzyme that breaks down starch into maltose.

In other organisms such as insects, salivary glands are often used to produce biologically important proteins like silk or glues, and fly salivary glands contain polytene chromosomes that have been useful in genetic research.

The gland is internally divided into lobules. Blood vessels and nerves enter the glands at the hilum and gradually branch out into the lobules.