Parotid Region

Question 1

parotid region is

Answer 1

anterior to the ear and inferior to the zygomatic arch

Question 2

parotid gland

Answer 2

largest of the 3 salivary glands with an almost entirely serous secretion

Question 3

parotid gland is enclosed in

Answer 3

parotid sheath which is derived from investing layer of deep cervical fascia

Question 4

course of parotid duct

Answer 4

passes horizontally from anterior edge of gland superficially to the masseter before piercing the buccinator and entering oral cavity near upper 2nd molar tooth

Question 5

name 4 structures embedded in the parotid

Answer 5

1. retromandibular vein (from superficial temporal & maxillary) - venous drainage
2. ECA (posterior auricular, maxillary, superficial temporal) - arterial supply
3. parotid lymph nodes
4. CN VII - this does not innervate parotid gland !

Question 6

arterial supply of parotid gland

Answer 6

from branches of ECA that run through it i.e. posterior auricular, maxillary and superficial temporal

Question 7

venous drainage of parotid gland

Answer 7

veins that run alongside arteries i.e. maxillary vein, superficial temporal vein which join to form retromandibular vein

Question 8

parasympathetic innervation of parotid gland

Answer 8

preganglionic - fibres from CN IX travel to otic ganglion in tympanic nerve and lesser petrosal nerve
postganglionic - fibres from otic ganglion pass to auriculotemporal nerve (CN V3) that sends branches to parotid

Question 9

parasympathetic innervation is responsible for

Answer 9

production of saliva

Question 10

sympathetic innervation of parotid is from

Answer 10

superior cervical ganglion & nerve plexus on ECA

Question 11

infratemporal portion of CN VII

Answer 11

the first part of the nerve from where it exits the pons to where it exits the skull

Question 12

infratemporal portion of CN VII exits as

Answer 12

2 roots:
1. motor root
2. nervus intermedius (sensory root)

Question 13

the 2 roots of the infratemporal portion of CN VII enter

Answer 13

the internal acoustic meatus and then the facial canal

Question 14

when the 2 roots of the infratemporal portion of CN VII join they form

Answer 14

the geniculate ganglion

Question 15

what branch comes off the geniculate ganglion

Answer 15

greater petrosal nerve to supply parasympathetic innervation to the nasal and lacrimal glands

Question 16

before exiting the skull the facial nerve gives off 2 branches

Answer 16

1. nerve to stapedius which supplies motor innervation to the stapedius muscle
2. chorda tympani which hitchhikes alongside the lingual nerve to supply taste and sensation to the anterior 2/3 of the tongue

Question 17

how does facial nerve exit the skull

Answer 17

stylomastoid foramen

Question 18

extratemporal part of CN VII

Answer 18

2nd part of the nerve from where it exits the skull at the stylomastoid foramen

Question 19

how does CN VII divide in the extratemporal portion

Answer 19

2 branches given off at the beginning; posterior auricular and digastric. it then enters the parotid to split into 5 main branches

Question 20

what does the facial nerve form in the parotid gland

Answer 20

the parotid plexus

Question 21

what are the 5 terminal branches of the facial nerve

Answer 21

1. temporal
2. zygomatic
3. buccal
4. marginal mandibular
5. cervical

Question 22

what does the temporal branch innervate

Answer 22

muscles of the temple, forehead, supra-orbital area

Question 23

what does the zygomatic branch innervate

Answer 23

muscles of the infra-orbital area, lateral nasal area and upper lip

Question 24

what does the buccal branch innervate

Answer 24

muscles of the cheek, upper lip, corner of the mouth

Question 25

what does the marginal mandibular branch innervate

Answer 25

muscles of the lower lip and chin

Question 26

what does the cervical branch innervate

Answer 26

platysma

Question 27

what is Bell’s palsy and where does it affect

Answer 27

most common type of facial paralysis. in most cases it affects both upper and lower parts of the face and is unilateral