PAROTID GLAND

MAGHRABI, PC
 GENERAL FEATURES

• It is the largest salivary gland

• It looks like a wedge (3 sided pyramid)
• It is located below the auricle, between
the ramus of the mandible and the
mastoid process.

MAGHRABI, PC
 EXTENSION

Superior Zygomatic Arch zygomatic arch

Inferior Angle of the Mandible

parotid
Masseter Muscle
Anterior
buccinator

masseter
Posterior Sternomastoid Muscle

Medial Pharyngeal Wall

sternomastoid

MAGHRABI, PC
 STRUCTURE OF THE PAROTID GLAND

• Main part (superficial): between the sternomastoid and masseter

• Deep part: medial narrow edge of the gland
• Accessory part: small part lying just above the parotid duct
• Post glenoid part: behind the temporo-mandibular joint and in contact with the external
auditory meatus

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 THE PAROTID DUCT

• It is 5 cm long
• It appears at the anterior border of the gland and runs
on the masseter muscle, below the zygomatic arch and
pieces the following:
-Buccal pad of fat
-Bucco-pharyngeal fascia
-Buccinator muscle
-Buccal mucuos membrane
• It opens into the vestibule of the mouth opposite upper
2nd molar tooth

MAGHRABI, PC
 STRUCTURES INSIDE THE GLAND

• Facial nerve
The facial nerve (cranial nerve VII), gives rise to five terminal branches within
the parotid gland. These branches innervate the muscles of facial expression.

• Retromandibular vein
The retromandibular vein is formed within the parotid gland by the
convergence of the superficial temporal and maxillary veins. It is one of the
major structures responsible for venous drainage of the face.

• External carotid artery

The external carotid artery (ECA) ascends through the parotid gland. Within the
gland, the ECA gives rise to the posterior auricular artery. The ECA then divides into
its two terminal branches – the maxillary artery and superficial temporal artery.

• Deep parotid lymph nodes

• Auriculotemporal nerve

MAGHRABI, PC
 RELATIONS OF THE PAROTID GLAND

The parotid gland has 3 borders, 3 surfaces and 2 ends.

Surfaces Borders Ends

Lateral Anterior Upper

Anteromedial Posterior Lower
Posteromedial Medial

MAGHRABI, PC
 ANTEROMEDIAL
LATERAL SURFACE
SURFACE

• Subcutaneous (situated under the skin) • Related to :

• Related to : MASSETER MUSCLE

SKIN AND SUPERFICIAL FASCIA MEDIAL PTERYGOMEDIAL MUSCLE

SUPERFICIAL PAROTID LYMPH NODES RAMUS OF MANDIBLE

GREAT AURICULAR NERVE

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 UPPER END LOWER END

• Related to: • Related to:

• Auriculotemporal nerve • Retromandibular vein
• Superficial temporal nerve • Cervical branch of facial nerve
• Temporal branch of facial nerve

POSTERIOR BORDER
ANTERIOR END
• Related to the sternomastoid muscle
• Related to masseter muscle and gives exit to:
-parotid duct
-branches of the facial nerve (zygomatic, buccal and marginal MEDIAL BORDER
mandibular)

• Related to the pharyngeal wall

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 BLOOD SUPPLY & LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE

• Arterial supply from the external carotid artery

• Venous drainage into retro-mandibular vein
• Lymphatic drainage by superficial and deep parotid lymph nodes

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 NERVE SUPPLY

1- Sensory supply:
the auriculo-temporal and great auricular nerves.
2- Sympathetic supply:
the sympathetic plexus around the external carotid artery
3- Parasympathetic supply (secretomotor):
• It starts from the inferior salivary nucleus (in the medulla), where the
gloss pharyngeal nerve originates.
• The glossopharyngeal nerve gives tympanic branch (Jacobson's nerve)
which forms the tympanic plexus.
• From the tympanic plexus arises the lesser superficial petrosal nerve
which passes outside the skull through foramen ovale to otic ganglion
which located in the infra-temporal fossa.
• The post ganglionic fibers which arise from the otic ganglion reach
the parotid gland by joining the auriculo-temporal nerve.

MAGHRABI, PC