â¢ SILICA (noun). The noun SILICA has 1 sense: 1. a white or colorless vitreous insoluble solid (SiO2); various forms occur widely in the earth's crust as quartz or cristobalite or tridymite or lechartelierite.Familiarity information: SILICA used as a noun is very rare.Dictionary entry details.ristobalite (a white mineral consisting of silica; found in volcanic rocks). lechartelierite (a mineral form of vitreous or glassy silica; formed by the melting of quartz sand (as by lightning or a meteorite)).
Besides these glands, there are many tiny glands called minor salivary glands located in your lips, inner cheek area (buccal mucosa), and extensively in other linings of your mouth and throat. Salivary glands produce the saliva used to moisten your mouth, initiate digestion, and help protect your teeth from decay.
The three major salivary glands are the parotid gland, submandibular gland (also called the submaxillary gland), and sublingual glands. Saliva drains into the mouth through small tubes called ducts. 1  The parotid gland makes 25% of the saliva and drains into the mouth near the upper teeth. 2  The submandibular gland makes 70% of the salvia and drains into the mouth from under the tongue.