Biomaterial Database

Age-related vulnerability. 1992

B J Baum

Clinical Investigations and Patient Care Branch, National Institute of Dental Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892.

This presentation considers the vulnerability of the upper alimentary and respiratory tracts to environmental insults during aging. A specific example, salivary gland secretion, is discussed. Available data suggest that while aging per se does not affect salivary performance adversely, it does appear to compromise the glands in such a way that older persons are more vulnerable to exogenous factors that can reduce secretory capacity and, consequently, diminish oropharyngeal health.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000368	Aged	A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available.	Elderly
D000375	Aging	The gradual irreversible changes in structure and function of an organism that occur as a result of the passage of time.	Senescence,Aging, Biological,Biological Aging
D012469	Salivary Glands	Glands that secrete SALIVA in the MOUTH. There are three pairs of salivary glands (PAROTID GLAND; SUBLINGUAL GLAND; SUBMANDIBULAR GLAND).	Gland, Salivary,Glands, Salivary,Salivary Gland
D012472	Salivation	The discharge of saliva from the SALIVARY GLANDS that keeps the mouth tissues moist and aids in digestion.