Salivary glands

Definition

Glands in arthropods, including mites and ticks, that produce digestive enzymes used to liquefy prey and other food prior to swallowing. They are also specialized for osmoregulation in ticks.

Etymology

From Latin 'salivarius', meaning 'of or relating to saliva'.

Example

The salivary glands of a tick are important for osmoregulation during feeding.

Related Terms

• Ticks
• Osmoregulation
• Digestion
• Mites

Usage Notes

In ticks, salivary glands play a crucial role in blood meal processing and host interactions.