Smallest salivary gland is

Options

A. Parotid
B. Sub maxillary
C. Sub lingual
D. Sub mandibular

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Salivary Glands:**
- Salivary glands are responsible for producing saliva, which aids in digestion and oral health. There are three pairs of major salivary glands in humans.

2. **Identifying the Major Salivary Glands:**
- The three pairs of salivary glands are:
- **Parotid Glands:** Located in the cheek region, these are the largest salivary glands.
- **Submandibular (or Submaxillary) Glands:** Found in the lower jaw, these are medium-sized glands.
- **Sublingual Glands:** Located beneath the tongue, these are the smallest of the salivary glands.

3. **Function of Salivary Glands:**
- All salivary glands produce saliva, which contains electrolytes and enzymes such as salivary amylase and lysozyme. Salivary amylase helps in the breakdown of carbohydrates, while lysozyme has antibacterial properties.

4. **Determining the Smallest Salivary Gland:**
- Among the three pairs of salivary glands, the sublingual glands are the smallest.

5. **Conclusion:**
- Therefore, the answer to the question "Smallest salivary gland is" is **C. Sublingual.**

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