parotid gland

The Parotid Region

Dr. ghassan

The Parotid Region

The part of the face in front of the ear and below the zygomatic arch is the parotid region. The principal features are the masseter muscle and the parotid gland

Parotid Gland

Largest of the salivary glands It is large, irregular and lobulated gland lies in deep fossa [hollow] behind the ramus of the mandible in front of the sternomastoid. Parotid gland extends from external acoustic meatus to the upper part of carotid triangle [in the neck].

The gland is wedge shape [three sided pyramid] with its base above and the apex below [behind the angle of mandible]. It has three surfaces: Superficial surface. anteromedial surface, and posteromedial surface

Borders:

Anterior border [separates superficial from anteromedial surface and overlaps the masseter] Posterior border [separates the superficial from posteromedial surface and overlaps the sternomastoid] Medial border [separates the anteromedial surface from posteromedial surface and is related to the pharynx

Lobes

The facial nerve courses horizontally through the gland and divides it into: Superficial lobe Deep lobe
Superficial lobe
Deep lobe
Facial nerve

Processes

Glenoid process, that extends upward behind the temporo-mandibular joint, in front of external auditory meatus Facial process, lies above the masseter . [Small part of facial process may separate from the main gland to form the accessory parotid gland]. Pterygoid process, that extends forward from the deeper part, lies between the medial pterygoid muscle & the ramus of mandible
The gland is an irregular lobulated mass, sends ‘processes’ in various directions. These include:

Capsules

The parotid gland is enclosed in two capsules: An inner connective tissue capsule An outer dense fibrous capsule derived from the investing layer of the deep cervical fascia A portion of fascia extending from the styloid process to the angle of mandible is called stylomandibular ligament. It separates the parotid gland from the submandibular gland

Relations

Superficial (lateral): Skin & superficial fascia Great auricular nerve Parotid lymph nodes Superior: External auditory meatus Temporomandibular joint Its glenoid process is related to the auriculo-temporal nerve

Inferior [the apex]: The gland extends between sternomastoid and the angle of mandible on posterior belly of digastric


Anteromedial: Stylomandibular ligament Medial pterygoid Posterior border of the ramus of mandible Massater Terminal branches of the facial nerve Temporo-mandibular joint

Posteromedial: Carotid sheath with its contents(Internal carotid artery , the internal jugular vein, IX, X, XI and XII nerves Styloid process & attached muscles (stylglossus , stylohyoid stylopharyngeus Facial nerve Posterior belly of digastric muscle Mastoid process Sternocleidomastoid

The Parotid Bed

The structures intimately related to the deep surface of the parotid gland (anteromedial & posteromedial relations)

Structures Coursing Within the Parotid Gland

Auriculotemporal nerve External carotid artery Retromandibular vein Facial nerve A few lymph nodes (parotid ) are scattered in the substance of the gland

Deep

Superficial


Parotid (Stensen’s) Duct About 2 inches long Emerges from the facial process of the gland Passes forward over the lateral surface of the masseter muscle about a fingerbreadth below the zygomatic arch accompanied by the: transverse facial vessels & zygomatic branches of facial nerve

Turns around the anterior border of masseter muscle Pierces the: Buccal pad of fat Buccopharyngeal fascia Buccinator muscle & Then, the duct runs forward for short course between the buccinator and the oral mucosa Then it turns medially to open into the vestibule of mouth on a small papilla, opposite the second upper molar tooth
Parotid duct
Buccinator
Masseter

Parotid Duct

The oblique passage of the duct in the buccinator muscle acts as a valve-like mechanism & prevents inflation of the duct during blowing

Venous drainage: Into the retro-mandibular vein

Arterial supply: External carotid artery & its terminal branches
Retromandibular v.
External carotid a.
Maxillary a.
Superficial temporal a.

Lymph Drainage: Into the parotid & then into the deep cervical lymph nodes

Parotid n.
Deep cervical n.

Nerve Supply

Sensory : Auriculotemporal n. and great auricular nerveAutonomic:Sympathetic through plexus around the arteries (→ plexus around ECA)Parasympthetic through otic ganglion (CN9 → tympanic n. → tympanic plexus → lesser petrosal n. → otic ganglion → auriculotemporal n.)

Clinical Anatomy

Parotid duct being a superficial structure, is prone to get damaged in injuries, or during surgical procedures on the face Parotid neoplasms (malignant) are very invasive and quickly involve the facial nerve causing facial palsy

MUMPS: Viral infection of the parotid gland

Inflammation of parotid gland results in painful swelling because of a tight capsule enclosing the gland. The swollen glenoid process exaggerates this pain on chewing

Frey’s syndrome: a disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of localized facial flushing and/or sweating in the area over the parotid gland in response to gustatory stimuliThis is due to aberrant nerve regeneration after injury (a communication develops between the auriculo-temporal & greater auricular nerves such that parasympathetic fibers migrate into the cutaneous sympathetic nerves that supply the sweat glands)