1. the excessive production of saliva. Normal production of the parotid, submaxillary, and sublingual salivary glands is between 1,000 and 1,500 ml per day for an adult human. Ptyalism may be associated with epilepsy, encephalitis, certain medications, high blood pressure, intense emotion, or high anxiety. Also called sialorrhea.

2. a condition in which saliva production is normal but the person is unable to swallow the saliva as fast as it is secreted, as in cases of parkinsonism, bulbar or pseudobulbar paralysis, and bilateral facial-nerve palsy.