Salivation (mouthwatering)

Definition

Salivation is the process of producing and releasing saliva from salivary glands in the mouth. It's often triggered by the sight, smell, or thought of food.

Analogy

Think of salivation like a sprinkler system on a hot day preparing for a barbecue party. When you see delicious food (the party), your mouth 'sprinklers' turn on to prepare your mouth for eating, just like how sprinklers would water grass to keep it fresh.

Related terms

Digestive System: This is the body system that breaks down food so it can be used by the body. Saliva plays an important role in this process as it starts breaking down food even before you swallow.

Enzymes: These are proteins that speed up chemical reactions in our bodies. In saliva, enzymes help break down food particles.

Gustatory Response: This term refers to taste response; when we eat something tasty (or not), our bodies have specific responses - one of them being increased salivation.