Parotid Gland and Submandibular Triangle

Question 1

Where is the parotid gland found, and what are its borders?

Answer 1

Inferolateral face: Anterior: Ramus and Masseter m. Superior: TMJ and External Acoustic Meatus posterior: Mastoid process and SCM inferior: angular tract (angle of mandible to hyoid)

Question 2

What is the function of the parotid gland?

Answer 2

It produces saliva. Saliva cleansing and moisturizes the mucous membranes of the mouth and pharynx and begins the chemical breakdown of food.

Question 3

What are the three main salivary glands?

Answer 3

Parotid, Submandibular, Sublingual (all paired)

Question 4

What kind of gland are the salivary glands?

Answer 4

exocrine

Question 5

What is an exocrine gland?

Answer 5

A gland that’s secretions are transported via ducts to a surface (mucosa of oral cavity)

Question 6

What small glands open directly into the oral cavity?

Answer 6

labial, buccal, palatal, and lingual glands

Question 7

What is another name for the parotid duct? Where does it arise and what track does it follow?

Answer 7

the Stenson’s duct. It arises on the anterior border of the parotid gland, collects saliva from the parotid gland, then runs superficial to the masseter m., dives deep and through the buccinator m. and opens through the papilla of parotid duct opposite the maxillary second molars.

Question 8

What structures are within and/or deep to the parotid gland?

Answer 8

Facial n. (CN VII) Retromandibular v. External carotid a.

Question 9

Where does the facial nerve exit the skull? What does it split into?

Answer 9

Stylomastoid foramen : Superior division - Temporofacial n : Inferior division - cervicofacial n

Question 10

The _________________ typically unites with the _________________ to form the retromandibular v.

Answer 10

Superficial temporal v. : maxillary v.

Question 11

The anterior division of the retromandibular v. typically unites with the _____________ before joining the ____________.

Answer 11

facial v. : IJV

Question 12

The posterior division of the retromandibular v. typically unites the ________________ to create the _________________.

Answer 12

posterior auricular v. : external jugular v.

Question 13

What does the external carotid supply with blood?

Answer 13

superior thyroid a., ascending pharyngeal a., lingual a., facial a., occipital a., posterior auricular a., maxillary a. (terminal), and superficial temporal a. (terminal)

Question 14

What nerve provides innervation to the parotid gland (consider source, ganglion, and terminal branch)?

Answer 14

Question 15

Where is the Otic ganglion located?

Answer 15

Just inferior to the Foramen Ovale

Question 16

What is the otic ganglion assocciated with?

Answer 16

the deep portion of the mandibular n. (V3)

Question 17

the ___________________ is a branch of the mandibular n. V3

Answer 17

auriculotemporal n.

Question 18

What are the three main functions of the auriculotemporal n.?

Answer 18

1: transmitting secretomotor postganglionic parasympathetic fibers to the parotid gland (from the otic ganglion; preganglionic fibers from glossopharyngeal n.),
2: afferently serving the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), and
3: afferently serving the skin of the: tragus of ear, the external auditory meatus, and the area anterosuperior to the ear.

Question 19

Where can the afferent portion of the auriculotemporal n. be found?

Answer 19

just posterior to, and accompanying, the superficial temporal a. and v. superiorly from the parotid gland.

Question 20

What is typically found within the submandibular triangle?

Answer 20

submandibular gland, facial a. & v, and hypoglossal n. (CN XII)

Question 21

What nerve provides innervation to the submandibular gland (consider source, ganglion, and terminal branch)?

Answer 21

Question 22

How is the submandibular gland connected to the oral cavity?

Answer 22

via the submandibular (Wharton’s) duct

Question 23

What does the Wharton’s duct travel through?

Answer 23

The space between the submandibular gland and the sublingual caruncle

Question 24

Where is the submandibular duct located?

Answer 24

between the hypoglossal n. and lingual n. in association with the hyoglossus m.

Question 25

Where is the lingual n. in relation to the submandibular duct?

Answer 25

It passes deep to the duct midway in the oral cavity

Question 26

Where is the sublingual caruncle?

Answer 26

at the confluence of the sublingual folds and the lingual frenulum

Question 27

Where do the submandibular glands (wharton’s) secrete saliva into the oral cavity?

Answer 27

the sublingual caruncle

Question 28

What viral disease may lead to inflamation of the parotid gland?

Answer 28

Mumps

Question 29

What are potential problems/pathologies involving the major salivary glands?

Answer 29

Parotid gland infection (mumps)

Sialolith/calculus (salivary stones)

Salivary gland tumor

Question 30

What needs to be avoided during a parotidectomy?

Answer 30

must be taken to not damage neurovascular structures within or deep to the parotid gland, particularly facial n. (CN VII) branches

Question 31

What nerve must be avoided in the case of a submandibular gland excision?

Answer 31

Lingual n.