What does salivary mean?
Salivary is an adjective meaning connected with saliva, the watery fluid produced in the mouth. Its best-known use is in the phrase “salivary glands,” referring to the glands that release saliva, usually through ducts into the mouth. Saliva moistens food, helps form it into a bolus, supports tasting, and begins part of the digestive process. It also protects the teeth and oral tissues by washing away food particles and helping neutralize acids. The adjective can describe the production, flow, secretion, or disorders of saliva. In medical writing, it is a precise technical term, while in general conversation people more often say “spit” or “saliva” than use “salivary” as a modifier. Understanding the word is useful when reading anatomy, dentistry, and health information.
Of or relating to saliva or the salivary glands.
"The doctor checked the salivary glands for signs of swelling."
Secreting or producing saliva.
"The salivary glands produce different types of secretion depending on stimulation."
Your salivary glands can produce up to around 1.5 litres of saliva a day, helping begin digestion while also protecting the mouth.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does salivary come from?
Salivary comes from the Latin adjective salivarius, meaning “of or pertaining to saliva.” That form was formed from saliva, the Latin word for saliva. English later developed related forms such as salivate and salivation, while salivary was established in English during the early modern period for anatomical and medical descriptions.
How salivary is actually used
Salivary is primarily used in anatomy, medicine, and biology. In medical contexts, it often appears before words such as glands, flow, secretion, or infection.
Easily confused with salivary
Salivary relates to saliva or the glands that produce it, while saline means containing salt or salt-based.