Final answer:
When a patient is diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that attacks the salivary glands, it means that their own immune system is mistakenly attacking the tissue in their salivary glands.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a patient is diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that attacks the salivary glands, it means that their own immune system is mistakenly attacking the healthy tissue in their salivary glands. This leads to inflammation and damage to the glands, which can result in reduced saliva production. The immune system targets the salivary glands because it identifies them as foreign or harmful.