parotid gland

Introduction

The largest of the salivary glands, located inferior & anterior to the ear on either side.

Function

• the parotid gland drains into the parotid duct, secretes saliva into the oral cavity after parasympathetic stimulation

Structure

• the parotid gland is enclosed within a capsule
• it is subdivided into the pars superficialis & pars profunda by branches of the facial nerve (CN VII).

Innervation

• postganglionic parasympathetic fibers from the otic ganglion innervate the parotid gland.

Distribution

It extends from:

• • inferiorly: the angle of the jaw
  • superiorly: zygomatic arch
  • posteriorly: sternocleidomastoid
  • medially: into the infratemporal fossa, deep to the ramus of the mandible

More general terms

• salivary gland

Additional terms

• otic ganglion
• parotid duct (Stensen canal)
• parotitis