This document discusses the anatomy of the parotid gland. It notes that the parotid gland is the largest salivary gland and produces saliva to keep the oral cavity moist. It has an inverted pyramid shape and is located below and in front of the ear, with its apex directed inferiorly. The parotid gland has multiple surfaces and borders that relate to surrounding structures like the masseter muscle, ramus of the mandible, and mastoid process. The facial nerve branches through the gland and the parotid duct drains saliva into the mouth. Blood supply comes from branches of the external carotid artery and lymphatic drainage is into cervical lymph nodes.

1. PAROTID GLAND
Dr Suyashi

2. Introduction
 Largest salivary gland
 Serous type
 Produce saliva
 Keeps the oral cavity moist
 Helps in chewing & swallowing

3. Situation
 Parotid region
 Parotid = para (around) + otic (ear)
 Fascial lined space
 Forms the mould or bed

4. Shape, measurements and
presenting parts
 Shape: Inverted 3 sided pyramid
 Weight: 15-25 grams
 Presenting parts: • Apex & base
(superior surface) • 3 Surfaces • 3
Borders

5. Coverings (capsule)
 2 capsules:
a) Inner true capsule
b) Outer false capsule
 True capsule: condensation of fibrous
stroma of gland
 False capsule (parotid sheath):
Investing layer of deep cervical fascia

6. Relations
 Apex: (directed below)
• Overlaps posterior belly of digastric
• Appears in carotid triangle
Structures passing through apex
1. Cervical branch of facial nerve
2. Anterior division of retromandibular vein
3. Formation of external jugular vein
 Base: (directed upwards &
concave)
• External acoustic meatus
• TMJ (posterior part)
Structures passing through base
1) Temporal br. of facial nerve
2) Superficial temporal vessels
3) Auriculo-temporal nerve

9.  Superficial or lateral surface:
• Skin
• Superficial fascia with lymph nodes & great
auricular nerve
• Posterior fibres of platysma
• Superficial lamella of parotid sheath
(Parotido- masseteric fascia)

10.  Antero-medial surface: (Grooved for
ramus of mandible)
• Postero-inferior part of masseter
• Ramus of mandible
• Capsule of TMJ
• Medial pterygoid muscle
• Outer lip of groove transmits-
branches of facial nerve
• Inner lip of groove transmits –
maxillary artery
 Postero-medial surface: (extensive
surface)
• Mastoid process with attached muscles
• Facial nerve piercing & enter the gland
• Styloid process with attached muscles
• Deep to styloid – ICA,IJV & last 4
cranial nerves
• ECA in a groove (before piercing the
gland)

11.  Anterior border: (rests on masseter)
• Structures passing through this border
(above downwards)
a) Zygomatic branch of facial nerve
b) Transverse facial vessels
c) Upper buccal branch of facial nerve
d) Parotid duct
e) Lower buccal branch of facial nerve
f) Marginal mandibular branch of facial nerve

12.  Posterior border: ( rests on
sternomastoid)
• Structures passing through this border
a) Posterior auricular branch of facial
nerve
b) Posterior auricular vessels
 Medial border: (Pharyngeal
border)
• Wall of pharynx

13. Processes of the gland
 Gland is casting over parotid mould
 Some parts of gland extend beyond the mould
& forms various process
1. Facial process
2. Accessory parotid gland & its duct
3. Pterygoid process
4. Glenoid process
5. Pre styloid process
6. Post styloid process

14. Structures passing through the parotid
(From outside inwards):-
1. Facial nerve & its branches
2. Retromandibular vein
3. External carotid artery
(parotid lymph nodes and part of auriculo-temporal nerve)

15. Facial nerve
 Branching pattern of facial nerve –
pes anserinus (5 branches radiate
like goose’s foot thro’ ant.border of
gland)
 Branches of facial nerve divide the
gland into superficial & deep parts
or lobes, connected by isthmus of
glandular tissue

16. Parotid duct (Stensen’s duct)
 5cm length & 3mm width
 Emerges through anterior border of the gland
 Runs on the masseter between upper & lower
buccal nerves
 At anterior border of masseter turns medially

17.  Pierces:-
1. Buccal pad of fat
2. Buccopharyngeal fascia
3. Buccinator (obliquely)
4. Runs between buccinator & mucous
membrane of cheek
5. Opens in to vestibule of mouth –opp. Crown
of upper 2nd molar tooth

18. Blood supply
 Arterial supply:
Branches from external carotid artery (superficial temporal &
maxillary artery)
 Venous drainage:
Drain into tributaries of external jugular vein

19. Nerve supply
 Parasympathetic – secretomotor (watery)
 Sympathetic – secretomotor (mucous rich sticky) & vasomotor
(blood vessels)
 Sensory – auriculo- temporal nerve (gland) & great auricular
nerve (parotid fascia)

21. Lymphatic drainage
 Superficial parotid nodes (superficial fascia)
 Deep parotid nodes (within the gland)
 Efferents drains into jugulo- digastric group
of deep cervical lymph nodes

22. Applied anatomy
 Accessory Parotid Gland
 Mumps (parotiditis / non- suppurative)
 Abscess in Parotid Gland
 Sialography of Parotid Duct
 Blockage of Parotid Duct
 Frey's Syndrome
 Mixed parotid tumour (facial nerve not
involved)
 Parotidectomy

23. Frey's Syndrome: (Auriculo-temporal nerve
syndrome)
 Penetrating wound of parotid
 Injury to auriculo-temporal (secretomotor) & great
auricular nerve
 During healing process
 Secreto-motor fibres of auriculo- temporal nerve grow
out & join with distal end of great auricular nerve and
reach sweat glands
 During eating sweating appear on the skin covering the
parotid region