Information about Parotid Gland
) | |
| Salivary glands: #1 is Parotid gland #2 is Submandibular gland #3 is Sublingual gland | |
| Latin | glandula parotidea |
| subject #177 693 | |
| Nerve | otic ganglion |
| Lymph | preauricular deep parotid lymph nodes |
| MeSH | Parotid+Gland |
| Dorlands/Elsevier | g_06/12392553 |
The parotid gland is the largest of the salivary glands. It is found wrapped around the mandibular ramus, and it secretes saliva through Stensen's duct into the oral cavity, to facilitate mastication and swallowing.
Anatomy
Location
The parotid gland is found in the subcutaneous tissue of the face, overlying the mandibular ramus and anterior and inferior to the external ear. The gland occupies the parotid fascial space, an area posterior to the mandibular ramus, anterior and inferior to the ear. The gland extends irregularly from the zygomatic arch to the angle of the mandible. This gland is effectively palpated bilaterally. Start anterior to each ear and move to the cheek area and then inferior to the angle of the mandible. (Illustrated Head and Neck Anatomy, Fehrenbach and Herring, Elsevier, 2007, p. 170-1).The facial nerve and its branches pass through the parotid gland as do the external carotid artery and its branches.
Excretory portion
The duct to this gland (also known as Stensen's duct) empties within the buccal cavity (the inside of the cheek) opposite the upper second molar. The parotid papilla is a small elevation of tissue that marks the opening of the parotid duct on the inner surface of the cheek (Illustrated Dental Embryology, Histology, and Anatomy, Bath-Balogh and Fehrenbach, Elsevier, 2006, p. 166).Serous fluid (as opposed to mucous fluid) is produced by the parotid gland.
Innervation
Although the facial nerve (CN VII) runs through this gland, it does not control it.Secretion of saliva by the parotid gland is controlled by presynaptic parasympathetic fibres originating in the inferior salivatory nucleus; these leave the brain via the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX), travel along the tympanic nerve (of Jacobson), pass through the tympanic plexus (located in the middle ear), and then travel in the lesser petrosal nerve until they reach the otic ganglion. After synapsing, the postganglionic fibers travel as part of the auriculotemporal nerve, a branch of the mandibular nerve (V3) to reach the parotid gland.
Sympathetic nerves originating from Superior Cervical Ganglion reach the gland with blood vessels.
Parasympathetic stimulation produces a water rich mucus saliva. Sympathetic stimulation leads to the production of low volume enzyme rich saliva. There is no inhibitory nerve supply to the gland.
Vascularization
Branches of the external carotid artery traverse the glandular tissue and supply the parotid gland with oxygenated blood, whereas numerous local veins drain the organ. These veins drain into tributaries of external and internal jugular veins.The maxillary vein and superficial temporal vein meet to form the retromandibular vein within the parotid gland but are not responsible for draining it.
Lymphatics mainly comprise pre-auricular lymph nodes.
Pathology
Inflammation of one or both parotid glands is known as parotitis. The most common cause of parotitis is mumps. Widespread vaccination against mumps has markedly reduced the incidence of mumps parotitis. Other infections such as bacterial infections can cause parotitis as may blockage of the duct, whether from salivary duct calculi or external compression. Stones mainly occur within the main confluence of the ducts and within the main parotid duct. The patient usually complains of intense pain when salivating and tends to avoid foods which produce this symptom. In addition the parotid gland may become enlarged upon trying to eat. The pain can be reproduced in clinic via squirting lemon juice into the patient's mouth. Surgery depends upon the situation of the stone, if within the anterior aspect of the duct a simple incision into the buccal mucosa with sphinterotomy may allow removal, however if further posterior within the main duct, complete gland excision may be necessary.The most common of tumors in the parotid gland are benign and only affect the superficial gland. These include pleomorphic adenoma and adenolymphoma. Their importance is in relation to their anatomical position. The tumorous growth can also change the consistency of the gland and cause facial pain on the involved side since the facial nerve travels through the gland (Illustrated Head and Neck Anatomy, Fehrenbach and Herring, Elsevier, 2007, p. 172). Critically, the relationship of the tumor to the branches of the facial nerve (CN VII) must be defined because resection may damage the nerves, resulting in paralysis of the muscles of facial expression. If the tumor is deep within the gland, the patient should give consent for potential damage of the facial nerve.
Additional images
Mandibular division of the trifacial nerve. | ) Sympathetic connections of the otic and superior cervical ganglia. | ) Horizontal section through left ear; upper half of section. | Outline of side of face, showing chief surface markings. |
microscopic ducts surrounded by connective tissue |
External links
- Illustration at yoursurgery.com
- Norman/Georgetown lesson4
- Histology at usc.edu
- Parotid+gland at eMedicine Dictionary
General anatomy of head and neck - head | |
|---|---|
| Face/Occiput | Forehead • Eye • Ear • Temple • Cheek • Chin |
| External nose | Nostril • Nasal septum • Cartilages (Accessory nasal, of the septum, Greater alar, Lateral nasal, Lesser alar, Vomeronasal) • Olfactory glands |
| Nasal cavity | Choana • Turbinate • Sphenoethmoidal recess • Ethmoid bulla • Hiatus semilunaris • Ostium maxillare • Inferior meatus • Vomeronasal organ • Paranasal sinus |
| Mouth/oral cavity | Lip • Philtrum • Jaw • Pterygomandibular raphe |
| Teeth | Permanent (Incisor, Canine, Premolar, Molar) • Deciduous |
| Tongue | Plica fimbriata • Median sulcus • Foramen cecum • Terminal sulcus • Frenulum linguae • Anterior tongue • Posterior tongue |
| Palate/roof of mouth | Hard palate • Soft palate • Palatine raphe • Incisive papilla • Uvula • Pharyngeal recess • Arches: (Palatoglossal • Palatopharyngeal) |
| Salivary glands | (Parotid • Sublingual • Submandibular) • Ducts: Submandibular • Parotid |
| fascia | Masseteric fascia • Temporal fascia • Galea aponeurotica • Scalp |
The salivary glands in mammals are exocrine glands that produce saliva. In other taxa such as insects, salivary glands are often used to produce biologically important proteins such as silk or glues.
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The paired submandibular glands (or submaxillary glands) are salivary glands located beneath the floor of the mouth. In humans, they account for 70% of the salivary volume.
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The sublingual glands are salivary glands in the mouth.
They lie anterior to the submandibular gland under the tongue, beneath the mucous membrane of the floor of the mouth.
They are drained by 8-20 excretory ducts.
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They lie anterior to the submandibular gland under the tongue, beneath the mucous membrane of the floor of the mouth.
They are drained by 8-20 excretory ducts.
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Latin}}}
Official status
Official language of: Vatican City
Used for official purposes, but not spoken in everyday speech
Regulated by: Opus Fundatum Latinitas
Roman Catholic Church
Language codes
ISO 639-1: la
ISO 639-2: lat
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Official status
Official language of: Vatican City
Used for official purposes, but not spoken in everyday speech
Regulated by: Opus Fundatum Latinitas
Roman Catholic Church
Language codes
ISO 639-1: la
ISO 639-2: lat
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A nerve is an enclosed, cable-like bundle of axons (the long, slender projection of a neuron). Neurons are sometimes called nerve cells, though this term is technically imprecise since many neurons do not form nerves, and nerves also include the glial cells that
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The otic ganglion is a small, ovalshaped, flattened parasympathetic ganglion of a reddish-gray color, located immediately below the foramen ovale.
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Location and relations
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The lymphatic system is a complex network of lymphoid organs, lymph nodes, lymph ducts, lymphatic tissues, lymph capillaries and lymph vessels that produce and transport lymph fluid from tissues to the circulatory system.
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The preauricular deep parotid lymph nodes (anterior auricular glands or preauricular glands), from one to three in number, lie immediately in front of the tragus.
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Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) is a huge controlled vocabulary (or metadata system) for the purpose of indexing journal articles and books in the life sciences. Created and updated by the United States National Library of Medicine (NLM), it is used by the MEDLINE/PubMed
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Elsevier, the world's largest publisher of medical and scientific literature, forms part of the Reed Elsevier group. Based in Amsterdam, the company has substantial operations in the UK, USA and elsewhere.
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parotoid gland is an external skin gland on the back, neck, and shoulder of toads and some salamanders. It secretes an alkaloid milky substance to deter predators. The substance produced acts as a neurotoxin.
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The salivary glands in mammals are exocrine glands that produce saliva. In other taxa such as insects, salivary glands are often used to produce biologically important proteins such as silk or glues.
..... Click the link for more information.
..... Click the link for more information.
The ramus of the mandible (perpendicular portion) is quadrilateral in shape, and has two surfaces, four borders, and two processes.
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Surfaces
The lateral surface is flat and marked by oblique ridges at its lower part; it gives attachment throughout nearly the whole..... Click the link for more information.
The parotid duct is also known as koslo's duct. Saliva from the parotid gland passes through it to the mouth.
It pierces the buccal fat, buccopharyngeal fascia and buccinator muscle then opens into the vestibule of the mouth opposite the upper 2nd molar tooth.
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It pierces the buccal fat, buccopharyngeal fascia and buccinator muscle then opens into the vestibule of the mouth opposite the upper 2nd molar tooth.
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subcutis is the layer of tissue directly underlying the cutis. It is mainly composed of adipose tissue. Its physiological function includes insulation and storage of nutrients.
Subcutaneous injections are given by injecting a fluid or a solid pellet into the subcutis.
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Subcutaneous injections are given by injecting a fluid or a solid pellet into the subcutis.
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The face is the front part of the head, in humans from the forehead to chin including the hair, forehead, eyebrow, eyes, nose, cheeks, mouth, lips, philtrum, teeth, skin, and chin. The face is used for expression, appearance and identity amongst others.
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The ramus of the mandible (perpendicular portion) is quadrilateral in shape, and has two surfaces, four borders, and two processes.
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Surfaces
The lateral surface is flat and marked by oblique ridges at its lower part; it gives attachment throughout nearly the whole..... Click the link for more information.
The outer ear is the external portion of the ear.
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Pinna, or auricle
The visible part is called the pinna and functions to collect and focus sound waves. Many mammals can move the pinna (with the auriculares muscles) in order to focus their hearing in a certain direction..... Click the link for more information.
The facial nerve is the seventh (VII) of twelve paired cranial nerves. It emerges from the brainstem between the pons and the medulla, and controls the muscles of facial expression, and taste to the anterior two-thirds of the tongue.
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In human anatomy, the external carotid artery is a major artery of the head and neck. It arises from the common carotid artery when it bifurcates into an internal and external branch.
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The parotid duct is also known as koslo's duct. Saliva from the parotid gland passes through it to the mouth.
It pierces the buccal fat, buccopharyngeal fascia and buccinator muscle then opens into the vestibule of the mouth opposite the upper 2nd molar tooth.
..... Click the link for more information.
It pierces the buccal fat, buccopharyngeal fascia and buccinator muscle then opens into the vestibule of the mouth opposite the upper 2nd molar tooth.
..... Click the link for more information.
gland is an organ in an animal's body that synthesizes a substance for release such as hormones, often into the bloodstream (endocrine gland) or into cavities inside the body or its outer surface (exocrine gland).
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The parotid duct is also known as koslo's duct. Saliva from the parotid gland passes through it to the mouth.
It pierces the buccal fat, buccopharyngeal fascia and buccinator muscle then opens into the vestibule of the mouth opposite the upper 2nd molar tooth.
..... Click the link for more information.
It pierces the buccal fat, buccopharyngeal fascia and buccinator muscle then opens into the vestibule of the mouth opposite the upper 2nd molar tooth.
..... Click the link for more information.
mouth, also known as the buccal cavity or the oral cavity, is the orifice through which an organism takes in food and water.
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Location
In all mammals, the mouth is forward-facing in the face. Non-mammals have mouths in other locations (e.g...... Click the link for more information.
In physiology, the term serous fluid is used for various bodily fluids that are typically pale yellow and transparent, and of a benign nature.
Saliva consists of mucus and serous fluid; the serous fluid contains the enzyme amylase important for the digestion of carbohydrates.
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Saliva consists of mucus and serous fluid; the serous fluid contains the enzyme amylase important for the digestion of carbohydrates.
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The facial nerve is the seventh (VII) of twelve paired cranial nerves. It emerges from the brainstem between the pons and the medulla, and controls the muscles of facial expression, and taste to the anterior two-thirds of the tongue.
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Cranial nerves are nerves that emerge directly from the brain in contrast to spinal nerves which emerge from segments of the spinal cord. Although thirteen cranial nerves in humans fit this description, twelve are conventionally recognized.
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Secretion is the process of segregating, elaborating, and releasing chemicals from a cell, or a secreted chemical substance or amount of substance.
Eukaryotic cells have a highly evolved process of secretion.
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Eukaryotic cells have a highly evolved process of secretion.
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For the band, see .
Saliva is the watery and usually frothy substance produced in the mouths of humans and some animals. In animals, saliva is produced in and secreted from the salivary glands...... Click the link for more information.
parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS) is one of three divisions of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The ANS -a subdivision of the peripheral nervous system (PNS)- is subdivided into the sympathetic (SNS), parasympathetic (PSNS) and enteric (bowels) nervous system (ENS).
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