Salivari

Salivari is a term that can refer to several related concepts in different languages or contexts. In biology and medical usage, it often relates to saliva, the digestive secretion produced by the salivary glands. The standard anatomical phrasing in many languages uses ghiandole salivari in Italian or glándulas salivales in Spanish, but the standalone form salivari is uncommon and usage varies by language.

The salivary glands are the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands, with numerous minor glands throughout the oral mucosa. They secrete saliva, which consists mainly of water, electrolytes, mucus, and enzymes such as amylase and, in some glands, lipase. Saliva lubricates the mouth, begins starch digestion, and helps protect teeth and mucosa from microbes. Saliva flow is controlled by the autonomic nervous system, with parasympathetic activity promoting copious secretion and sympathetic activity modulating composition and rate.

Clinically, reduced saliva production (xerostomia) can result from dehydration, medications, or radiation therapy. Sialolithiasis refers to stones in the salivary ducts, potentially causing pain and swelling. Sialadenitis is an infection of the salivary glands, and benign or malignant tumors can arise, the most common benign form being pleomorphic adenoma.

As a surname, Salivari appears to be of Italian origin and may denote ancestral or familial ties to regions where Italian is spoken. It is carried by individuals in various countries but is not associated with a single widely known figure.