Saliva is the mixed glandular secretion which constantly bathes the teeth and the oral mucosa. It is constituted by the secretions of the three paired major salivary glands; the parotid, submandibular and sublingual . Salivary glands are complex in nature. They could be either tubulo acinar, merocrine or exocrine glands secreting mainly saliva. Salivary gland is one of the main soft tissue structures in the maxillofacial area. This review article illustrates the processes that lead to the development,embryology of the salivary glands and how this relates to the adult anatomy.