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Organoid Technology for Basic Science and Biomedical Research
Published in Hyun Jung Kim, Biomimetic Microengineering, 2020
Szu-Hsien (Sam) Wu, Jihoon Kim, Bon-Kyoung Koo
The salivary glands are the source of saliva, which initiates digestion and maintains homeostasis in the oral cavity. In a report (Nanduri et al. 2014) and a follow-up study (Maimets et al. 2016), the authors demonstrate the existence of a murine salivary gland stem cell population and describe the conditions required to culture this population in vitro. The authors could expand the salivary gland stem cell population by embedding the cells into Matrigel and culturing in the presence of FGF and EGF, but the authors did not demonstrate the long-term maintenance capacity of this culture system. In their follow-up study, the authors identified the importance of Wnt pathway activation for the long-term maintenance of salivary gland organoids. Importantly, salivary gland organoids can be used to successfully repair damaged salivary glands without tumor formation or dysplastic changes, hinting at the immense therapeutic potential of the platform in general.
Dental Radiography
Published in Paolo Russo, Handbook of X-ray Imaging, 2017
The salivary glands as soft tissue organs cannot be directly imaged by means of radiographs. As an indirect radiographic evaluation, sialography was established long ago. The salivary glands are indirectly displayed by means of a radiopaque contrast agent injected into the natural duct of the gland. The technique shows the architecture of the salivary duct system, the ductules, and parenchyma of the salivary gland of interest. Strictures can, thus, also be visualized. A radiopaque contrast medium is injected into the excretory duct of the respective gland. Sialography is also conducted in dental radiography, most commonly to assess the radiographic pattern of the submandibular gland or the parotid gland. It is helpful to visualize potential duct obstructions or the duct pattern of the gland and its interior. Due to the advances in ultrasonography, today sonographic evaluation of the salivary glands represents the standard means of diagnostics. However, recent reports still advocate a role of sialography in patients presenting with sialadenitis (Hasson 2010). The involvement of the salivary glands in systemic diseases such as Sjögren's syndrome may also be successfully diagnosed by sialography, with high sensitivity and specificity if an experienced and skilled observer is performing the procedure (Kalk et al. 2002). Radiographic techniques applied for sialography mainly comprise the lateral oblique mandible view (see Section 22.4.2.3.2.8) or panoramic radiography (Figure 22.57).
Functional ectodermal organ regeneration based on epithelial and mesenchymal interactions
Published in David M. Gardiner, Regenerative Engineering and Developmental Biology, 2017
Masamitsu Oshima, Takashi Tsuji
Secretory glands, including salivary glands and lacrimal glands, are important for the protection of appendage organs and the maintenance of physiological functions in the microenvironment of the oral and ocular surfaces. Salivary glands play essential roles in the normal functioning of the upper gastrointestinal tract and oral health via saliva production. There are three major salivary glands: the parotid gland (PG), submandibular gland (SMG), and sublingual gland (SLG). There is also a minor salivary gland. Serous saliva that is produced from the PG and SMG primarily contains amylase proteins for the digestion of foods, whereas mucous saliva that is produced from the SLG contains glycoproteins and mucin proteins for dryness protection in the oral cavity (Avery 2002, Edgar et al. 2004, Tucker and Miletich 2010). Lacrimal glands play multilateral roles in the protection of a healthy ocular surface epithelium through the production of tears from the impairment of air exposure. The lacrimal gland comprises a main gland that secretes aqueous tears and some small accessory glands (Schechter et al. 2010). These mature glands are organized in accordance with a tubuloalveolar scheme: the acini that carry the fluid to the mucosal surface through the lacrimal duct, the myoepithelial cells that envelop the acini, and the early duct elements (Melnick et al. 2009, Schechter et al. 2010). The aqueous layer of the tear is formed by secretion from the lacrimal glands. It contains water and many tear proteins, including lactoferrin, for the expression of biological functions such as moisturizing the ocular surface and antimicrobial activity (Ohashi et al. 2006, Hirayama et al. 2013b).
Bioimpedance spectroscopy and spectral camera techniques in detection of oral mucosal diseases: a narrative review of the state-of-the-art
Published in Journal of Medical Engineering & Technology, 2019
Shekh Emran, Miia Hurskainen, Laura Tomppo, Reijo Lappalainen, Arja M. Kullaa, Sami Myllymaa
Oral mucosa undertakes various functions, the most important of which is the protection of the underlying tissues from chemical and mechanical damage and to prevent the entry of micro-organisms. The regular activities of biting and chewing food make the delicate oral tissues susceptible to surface abrasions and from mechanical forces. The oral mucosa possesses a number of mechanisms to allow both the epithelium and the connective tissue to withstand these mechanical challenges. Oral mucosa has also an important immuno-protective role since it prevents the penetration of toxic substances and pathogenic organisms. The oral mucosa has a crucial sensory function, that is, it transmits messages about events occurring inside the oral cavity, while the lips and tongue respond to stimuli from outside the mouth. There are receptors in the mouth, pharynx and epiglottis that are sensitive to temperature, touch, and pain. Furthermore, the oral cavity contains the taste buds; these are structures do not exist anywhere else in the human body, signalling the typical taste sensations of sweet, salty, sourness, bitterness, and umami. Saliva is an important fluid secretion in the oral mucosa; it is produced by the salivary gland organs, ensuring a moist mucosal surface. The main salivary glands are located at some distance from the mucosa, and their secretion reaches the mucosa by means of lengthy ducts, but there are also numerous minor salivary glands associated with the oral mucosa [10–12]. Saliva provides many protective components and forms a protective pellicle on the surface of the oral mucosa [13].
Parotid salivary ductal system segmentation and modeling in Sialo-CBCT scans
Published in Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering: Imaging & Visualization, 2021
O. Shauly, L. Joskowicz, E.G. Istoyler, C. Nadler
Salivary glands secrete saliva, which is essential for oral hygiene and for food digestion. Saliva is produced by three pairs of salivary glands: sublingual, submandibular, and parotid glands. Salivary glands consist of an acinar compartment where saliva is produced and a ductal compartment where saliva is modified and transported to the oral cavity. The ductal compartment consists of a primary salivary duct which is fed by secondary ducts which are further fed by other ducts bifurcating until they reach the acinar components. The parotid glands are the largest salivary glands.