Parotid gland

The parotid gland is a salivary gland in the face that is found on both sides. The parotid glands, in particular, produce a “serous” kind of saliva, which is thin and watery. It contains the protein Amylase, which aids in the digestion of starch. The parotid glands each provide ten percent of saliva in the mouth while we are not eating. When triggered by food, the saliva produced by each parotid gland amounts for 25% of total saliva production

The parotid gland is found anterior to the ear and the sternocleidomastoid muscle in the retromandibular fossa. The ramus of the mandible and the posterior half of the masseter muscle are covered by the superficial lobe. The parotid gland is the biggest salivary gland, with a craniocaudal diameter of 5.8 cm and a ventrodorsal diameter of 3.4 cm. A parotid’s average weight is 14.28 g.

The healthy parotid gland is fatty, uneven, wedge-shaped, and unilobular in appearance .The transverse facial artery, which branches off the superficial temporal artery, supplies blood to the parotid gland.The transverse facial artery can be found at the temporomandibular condyle.

Parotid gland location:

Superficial or lateral relations: The gland is located deep to the skin, superficial fascia, superficial lamina of investing layer of deep cervical fascia, and great auricular nerve (anterior ramus of C2 and C3).

Anteromedial relations:Posterolaterally, the gland is located between the mandibular ramus, masseter, and medial pterygoid muscles. The pterygoid process is a portion of the gland that extends between the ramus and the medial pterygoid. Through this surface, branches of the facial nerve and the parotid duct emerge.

Posteromedial relations: The gland is located anterolaterally to the mastoid process of the temporal bone, which is attached to the sternocleidomastoid and digastric muscles, the styloid process of the temporal bone, which is attached to three muscles (stylohyoid, stylopharyngeus, and styloglossus), and the carotid sheath, which contains the internal carotid artery, internal jugular veinThe 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th cranial nerves, as well as the 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th cranial nerves).

Medial relations: At the medial border, where the anteromedial and posteromedial surfaces meet, the parotid gland comes into contact with the superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle. As a result, in parotitis, it is necessary to inspect the fauces.

Parotid gland structure and function:

On the lateral aspect of the cheek, the parotid glands can be palpated anterior and inferior to the lower portion of the ear. They run inferiorly to the mandible’s bottom border and superiorly to the zygomatic arch. The facial nerve and the posterior facial vein separate each parotid gland into a superficial and a deep lobe. There is also fatty tissue between the lobes of the gland that aids mandibular movement. The superficial lobe is located lateral to the facial nerve and overlies the masseter muscle’s lateral surface. The deep lobe is located between the temporal bone’s mastoid process and the mandibular ramus, medial to the facial nerve. The parotid sheath is a fascial capsule that covers the parotid gland.

The parotid major excretory duct (Stensen’s duct) emerges from the anterior portion of the superficial lobe, travels over the masseter muscle, and then rotates medially to puncture the buccinator muscle . It enters the buccal cavity at the level of the maxillary second molar’s buccal mucosa .

The secretory region of the salivary glands, known as acini, and a web of arborized ducts that open into the buccal cavity to produce saliva have the same histological structure.

 The parotid gland is primarily made up of serous acinar cells, but it may also contain mucinous acinar cells that form supplementary glandular tissue. As a result, the parotid’s saliva is thick and watery. . Myoepithelial cells surround each serous acinus, which contract to help evacuate secretions from the acinus. In addition, the acini’s perimeter contains an extracellular matrix, stromal cells, immune cells, myofibroblasts, and nerves. [4]

Saliva is created in the acinar lumen and then actively carried into the ducts, where it is changed into a mixture of electrolytes and macromolecules. The saliva is hypotonic when it reaches the mouth, however salivary flow rates can affect the electrolyte content. Saliva also contains mucus and digestive enzymes in addition to electrolytes. The most significant enzyme is amylase, which initiates the digestion of carbohydrates

Accessory parotid gland:

The accessory parotid gland is normal salivary tissue that has been separated from the main parotid gland. It is located approximately 6 mm anterior to the main parotid gland, between the skin and the masseter muscle, along an imaginary line that extends from the tragus to a point midway between the ala of the nose and the vermilion border of the lip. 1 and 2 It has a second duct that empties into Stensen’s. The accessory parotid gland, which is little-known and rarely cited in the literature, is found in 21% of people. 3 The accessory parotid tumour is uncommon, accounting for about 1% to 7.7% of all parotid-gland cancers, while benign tumours of the accessory parotid gland account for roughly 50% to 74 percent of all accessory parotid neoplasms.The risk of malignancy ranges from 26 percent to 50 percent . 4 and 5 The rate of cancer in the major parotid gland is much lower, at around 18.5 percent. 6

Conclusion:

The parotid glands are one of the three basic types of salivary glands in the body, and they’re perhaps best known to those who recall the mumps’ “chipmunk cheeks” before the vaccine. Saliva is secreted by the glands that reside low on each side of your face.

The parotid gland has significant activities and is also involved in several illnesses.

Your quality of life might be substantially impacted by dry mouth. It can make it difficult to swallow, cause a burning sensation in the mouth, and make you more susceptible to cavities.