#### Summary points The investigation and management of salivary swellings have advanced considerably in the past decade, with an emphasis on less invasive techniques and increased preservation of the salivary glands and adjacent structures. Salivary gland swellings usually present on the side of the face, below and in front of the ear (parotid gland), or in the upper part of the neck (tail of the parotid gland and the submandibular gland). A submucosal swelling in the oral cavity should raise suspicion of a sublingual or minor salivary gland neoplasm. Occasionally, intraoral lesions might present with an ulcerated surface. Because of their anatomical position, parotid and submandibular gland swellings are often mistaken for cervical lymphadenopathy. In addition, salivary neoplasms can be misdiagnosed as chronic sialadenitis, resulting in diagnostic delay. In this article, we aim to provide an overview of the clinical presentation, investigation, differential diagnosis, and contemporary management of salivary swellings. #### Sources and selection criteria We undertook a search of Medline, using the terms “salivary”, …