Final answer:
Mumps is typically an infection of the parotid glands, which are salivary glands that produce a secretion rich in salivary amylase. The mumps virus can cause significant inflammation, leading to swelling and pain in the affected area.
Step-by-step explanation:
In most cases, mumps is a viral infection of the parotid glands. These salivary glands are responsible for producing a serous secretion that contains high amounts of salivary amylase, an enzyme that begins the digestion of starches in the mouth. The mumps virus, specifically the MuV or paramyxovirus, is highly contagious and may cause severe inflammation in the parotid glands leading to symptoms like swelling between the ears and the jaw, fever, throat pain, and difficulty swallowing, especially acidic substances.