What is the smallest salivary gland that secretes mucus?

The sublingual gland is considered the smallest of the major salivary glands and is primarily responsible for the secretion of mucus. It is located beneath the tongue and contributes to the overall composition of saliva, with a significant portion being mucous in nature. This mucous secretion plays a crucial role in lubricating food, aiding in the process of swallowing, and providing initial enzymatic digestion.

In contrast, the parotid gland is the largest salivary gland and primarily secretes serous fluid, which is watery and contains a significant amount of the enzyme amylase. The submandibular gland, while also larger than the sublingual gland, produces both serous and mucous secretions but is not exclusively mucous. The buccal glands, found in the mucous membrane lining the cheeks, are minor salivary glands that produce mucus, but they are not classified as the smallest major salivary gland like the sublingual gland is. Hence, the emphasis on the mucous secretion of the sublingual gland supports its designation as the smallest, mucous-secreting salivary gland.