Salivary duct stones

Alternative names:

sialolithiasis

Definition:

A disorder caused by the presence of crystallized minerals in the ducts that drain the salivary glands

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Salivary duct stones are one of the salivary gland disorders.

The chemicals in saliva can crystallize into a stone that can block the salivary ducts. During eating, saliva is produced by the gland. When saliva cannot exit a blocked duct, it backs up into the gland, causing pain and swelling of the gland. The submandibular gland is the salivary gland that is most often affected by stones.