Saliva

Saliva, watery secretion of the salivary glands, partly controlled by the parasympathetic autonomic nervous system, that lubricates the mouth and chewed food and begins the breakdown of starches in the digestive process. There are 3 sets of salivary glands: the parotid, submaxillary, and sublingual. Saliva contains mucin, water, salts, some gamma globulins (proteins), and ptyalin (a starch-splitting enzyme) and is secreted in response to food in the mouth or by conditioned reflexes such as the smell or sight of food.