Parotid gland (dave's notes)

Question 1

What is the function and general shape of the parotid gland?

Answer 1

The parotid is a serous salivary gland with scattered mutinous acini. It has an irregular shape.

Question 2

Where is the parotid found?

Answer 2

The parotid fills a gap between mastoid process, ramus and styloid process.

Question 3

Describe the poles and surfaces of the parotid. What is the coating of the parotid?

Answer 3

Upper and lower poles, lateral, anterior and deep surfaces. Surrounded by tough parotid sheath - investing layer of the deep fascia

Question 4

Describe the shape and location of upper pole of the parotid

Answer 4

A small concave surface adhering to the external acoustic meatus near the TMJ capsule

Question 5

Describe the shape and location of the lower pole of the parotid

Answer 5

Rounded, lying below and behind the angle of the mandible. Indented by SCM, overlaps the posterior belly of digastric.

Question 6

Describe the surface of and location of the lateral surface of the parotid

Answer 6

Subcutaneous and almost flat

Question 7

What is the shape of the anterior surface of the parotid?

Answer 7

U shaped

Question 8

What are the relations of the anterior surface of the parotid?

Answer 8

The anterior surface is U shaped clasping the ramus of the mandible. Masseter lies on the outer surface and the medial pterygoid is on the inner surface.

Question 9

What surface of the parotid is nearest the medial pterygoid and submandibular gland? What prevents direct contact between the parotid and these structures?

Answer 9

The anterior surface. Stylomandibular ligament.

Question 10

What is formed when the anterior surface and the lateral surface of the parotid meet?

Answer 10

The anterior border

Question 11

What is found deep to the anterior border of the parotid?

Answer 11

The parotid duct and the five branches of the facial nerve. The terminal branches of the external carotid are deeper still.

Question 12

What are the relations of the deep/posteromeidal surface of the parotid

Answer 12

Indented by the surrounding structures; lies against the styloid process and its muscles

Question 13

List the muscles of the styloid process

Answer 13

Stylohyoid, styloglossus, stylopharyngeus and ligaments, stylohyoid, stylomandibular (ligament)

Question 14

What structures does the styloid process separate the parotid gland from?

Answer 14

The internal jugular vein and internal carotid artery

Question 15

What is found embedded in the parotid gland?

Answer 15

Superficial to deep: facial nerve, retromandibular vein, external carotid artery

Question 16

Describe the course of the facial nerve through the parotid gland

Answer 16

Enters deep but emerges superficial BEHIND the ANTERIOR border

Question 17

Describe the course of the retromandibular vein through the parotid gland

Answer 17

Runs immediately deep to the facial nerve

Question 18

What are the deepest large structures found within the parotid gland?

Answer 18

The terminal branches of of the external carotid artery

Question 19

Give the the length and course of the parotid duct

Answer 19

5cm long, passes forwards across masseter, turns around the anterior border to pierce buccinator.

Question 20

Where does the parotid duct open?

Answer 20

On the mucous membrane of the cheek opposite to the 2nd upper molar. Protected by a flap.

Question 21

What is the blood supply to the parotid gland? Venous drainage?

Answer 21

External carotid, retromandibular vein.

Question 22

Where does parotid lymph drain to?

Answer 22

External carotid artery nodes to deep cervical nodes.

Question 23

What type of nerve supply does the parotid gland receive?

Answer 23

Secretomotor and sympathetic fibres

Question 24

Via what nerve is the secretomotor supply to the parotid gland?

Answer 24

ISN ??? to glossopharyngeal nerve (tympanic branch) -> to tympanic plexus otic ganglion; hitch-hikes via at the auriculotemporal nerve.

Question 25

How do sympathetic fibres reach the parotid gland?

Answer 25

From the superior cervical ganglion via the external carotid artery and middle meningeal arteries

Question 26

Describe the structure of the parotid gland

Answer 26

Predominantly serous acini
Many ducts
Fat cells

Question 27

How does the parotid gland develop?

Answer 27

From a groove in the cheek becoming a tunnel with a blind ending.