PAROTID GLAND
PAROTID GLAND
- Parotid gland is the largest major salivary gland (weight 25 gm).
- occupying the parotid bed or retromandibular space, below external acoustic meatus b/w ramus of mandible & sternocleidomastiod.
- Paired parotid glands overlap masseter muscle anteriorly.
- On the surface of the masseter, small detached part lies between zygomatic arch and parotid duct called as Accessory parotid gland or ‘socia parotidis’ or pars accessaria.
- Parotid gland resembles a three sided pyramid with an apex, four surfaces (superior/ base, superficial, anteromedial & posteromedial); & three borders (anterior, posterior & medial).
- Wedge-shaped when viewed externally , with the base above & the apex behind the angle of the mandible.
RELATIONS:
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SURFACE |
RELATIONS |
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SUPERIOR(BASE) (CONCAVE) |
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SUPERFICIAL (LATERAL) (LARGEST) |
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ANTEROMEDIAL SURFACE |
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POSTEROMEDIAL SURFACE |
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- APEX overlaps the posterior belly of digastric & adjoining part of carotid triangle.
- The cervical branch of facial nerve & two divisions of retromandibular vein emerge near apex.
Following structures energe from anterior border:
1. Parotid duct
2. Terminal branches of facial nerve
3. Transverse facial vessels
PAROTID CAPSULE:
- The investing layer of the deep cervical fascia forms capsule of parotid gland.
- The fascia consists of :-
1. Superficial layer
2. Deep layer
- Stylomandibular ligament separates the parotid glands from submandibular salivary gland.
- Stylomandibular ligament pierced by external carotid artery.
The attachments of the Parotid fascia include :
1. Anterior – Mandible
2. Inferior – Stylomandibular ligament
3. Posterior –Styloid process
STRUCTURES WITHIN GLAND:
Arteries:
- External carotid artery enters through posteromedial surface
- Maxillary artery
- Superficial temporal vesseL
- Posterior auricular artery
Veins:
- The retromandibular veins is formed within the gland by the union of the superficial temporal and maxillary veins.
- In the lower part of the gland, the vein divides into anterior and posterior divisions which emerge at the apex of the gland.
Facial Nerve:
- It enters the gland through the upper part of its posteriomedial surface, and divides into its terminal branches within the glands.
- Branches appear on the surface at the anterior border.
- The arrangement of Branches of Facial nerve after exiting from Parotid gland is given the name as Pes Anserinus.
Parotid Duct (Stenson’s duct)
- Parotid duct emerges from anterior border of gland & passes forward over lateral surface of masseter & can be palpated at tense anterior margin of masseter muscle.
Anterior border of the masseter, it turns medially and pierces:
– Buccal pad of fat.
– Buccalpharyngeal fascia
– Buccinator
- The duct runs forward for a short distance between the buccinator and the oral mucosa.
- The duct turns opens into the vestibule of the mouth (gingivo- buccal vestibule) opposite the crown of the upper 2nd molar tooth
NERVE SUPPLY:
- Parotid gland is pierced but not innervated by facial nerve.
1. PARASYMPATHETIC (SECRETOMOTOR)
- derived from auriculo temporal nerve as following route:
i) Preganglionic fibers:
- Originate in inferior salivary nucleus
- Pass through glossopharyngeal nerve; its tympanic branch; tympanic plexus, & lesser petrosal nerve
ii) Relay ganglion: Otic ganglion
iii) Postganglionic fibers: Pass through the auriculotemporal nerve to reach the gland.
2. SYMPTHETIC SUPPLY- vasomotor
- Derived from the plexus around the external carotid artery.
3. SENSORY NERVES-
- From the auriculotemporal nerve, except for parotid fascia & overlying skin which are innervated by Great auricular nerve (C2, C3).
Exam Important
- Secretomotor fiber to parotid salivary gland is supplied by otic ganglion.
- The arrangement of Branches of Facial nerve after exiting from Parotid gland is given the name as Pes Anserinus.
- Parotid duct pierces buccinator muscle.
- Parotid gland is pierced but not innervated by facial nerve.
- The parasympathetic secretomotor fibres to parotid arises from the glossopharyngeal nerve & reaches the gland via tympanic branch, the lesser petrosal nerve, the otic ganglion and the auriculotemporal nerve.
- Parotid capsule is derived from deep cervical fascia.
- Postganglionic fibres to parotid gland is supplied by auriculotemporal nerve.
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Parotid duct is also k/as Stenson’s duct.
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The duct turns opens into the vestibule of the mouth (gingivo- buccal vestibule) opposite the crown of the upper 2nd molar tooth
- Parotid duct pierces Buccal pad of fat, Buccalpharyngeal fascia & Buccinator.
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