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anatomy > parotid region > Flashcards

parotid region Flashcards

1
Q

What are the three pairs of large salivary glands?

A

Parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands.

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2
Q

Name the minor salivary glands and their locations.

A

Lingual glands – Tongue
Palatal glands – Palate
Buccal glands – Cheeks
Labial glands – Lips

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3
Q

What are the functions of saliva?

A

Saliva helps in chewing, keeps the mouth moist, and cleans teeth.

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4
Q

What are the boundaries of the parotid region?

A

Anteriorly: Anterior border of masseter
Superiorly: Zygomatic arch
Posteriorly: Mastoid process
Inferiorly: Line joining the angle of mandible to mastoid process

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5
Q

What is the largest salivary gland?

A

Parotid gland.

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6
Q

Which nerve passes through the parotid gland?

A

Facial nerve (extracranial part).

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7
Q

Through which foramen does the facial nerve exit the cranial cavity?

A

Stylomastoid foramen.

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8
Q

How many terminal branches does the facial nerve give off from the parotid gland?

A

Five.

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9
Q

From which embryological layer does the parotid gland develop?

A

Ectoderm.

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10
Q

Where is the parotid gland located?

A

In the retromandibular fossa (parotid bed), posterior to the ramus of the mandible.

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11
Q

What are the boundaries of the parotid bed?

A

Anteriorly: Posterior border of the ramus of mandible
Posteriorly: Mastoid process
Superiorly: External acoustic meatus and posterior TMJ
Medially: Styloid process

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12
Q

What forms the parotid capsule?

A

Tough investing layer of deep cervical fascia.

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13
Q

What separates the parotid and submandibular glands?

A

Stylomandibular ligament.

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14
Q

Why is parotid swelling painful in mumps?

A

The parotid capsule is unyielding, so swelling stretches the capsule, stimulating the great auricular nerve.

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15
Q

When does pain due to parotitis increase and decrease?

A

Increases: At meal times due to gustatory stimulus
Decreases: After meals due to secretion release

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16
Q

What is the shape of the parotid gland?

A

Three-sided pyramid with the apex directed downward.

17
Q

Name the features of the parotid gland.

A

Apex
Four surfaces: Superior (base), superficial (lateral), anteromedial, and posteromedial
Three borders: Anterior, posterior, and medial

18
Q

What is the most likely diagnosis for the 10-year-old boy with swelling in front of his ears?

A

Mumps (viral parotitis) – a viral infection of the parotid gland caused by the mumps virus.

19
Q

Why does the pain worsen at meal times in the case of mumps?

A

Salivary stimulation during meals increases secretion in the inflamed parotid gland, leading to increased pressure within the unyielding parotid capsule, causing pain.

20
Q

Which nerve is responsible for transmitting the pain sensation in mumps?

A

Great auricular nerve (a branch of the cervical plexus, C2, C3), which supplies sensory innervation to the parotid capsule.

21
Q

Which nerve has likely been damaged in the 45-year-old man after parotid tumor surgery?

A

Facial nerve (CN VII) – its extracranial part passes through the parotid gland.

22
Q

Through which anatomical structure does the facial nerve pass inside the parotid gland?

A

The stylomastoid foramen – the facial nerve exits the skull here and enters the parotid gland, where it divides into its five terminal branches.

23
Q

Name the five terminal branches of the facial nerve.

A
  1. Temporal
  2. Zygomatic
  3. Buccal
  4. Marginal mandibular
  5. Cervical

Mnemonic: “To Zanzibar By Motor Car”

24
Q

Which salivary glands are affected in Sjogren’s syndrome?

A

All three major salivary glands – parotid, submandibular, and sublingual, as well as minor salivary glands.

25
Q

What is the primary cause of dry mouth in the patient with Sjogren’s syndrome?

A

Autoimmune destruction of salivary glands, leading to reduced saliva production (xerostomia).

26
Q

Which other exocrine gland is commonly affected in Sjogren’s syndrome?

A

Lacrimal glands, causing dry eyes (keratoconjunctivitis sicca).

27
Q

Which structure emerges through the apex of the parotid gland?

A

Cervical branch of the facial nerve.

28
Q

What are the divisions of the retromandibular vein emerging through the apex of the parotid gland?

A

Anterior and posterior divisions of the retromandibular vein.

29
Q

The superior surface of the parotid gland is related to which structures?

A
  1. External acoustic meatus
  2. Posterior aspect of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)
30
Q

Which two structures emerge through the superior surface of the parotid gland?

A
  1. Superficial temporal vessels
  2. Auriculotemporal nerve
31
Q

The superficial surface of the parotid gland is covered by which layers?

A
  1. Skin
  2. Superficial fascia (containing greater auricular nerve branches, preauricular lymph nodes, and platysma)
  3. Parotid fascia
  4. Deep parotid lymph nodes
32
Q

Which structures are related to the anteromedial surface of the parotid gland?

A
  1. Masseter muscle
  2. Medial pterygoid muscle
  3. Posterior border of the mandible
  4. Lateral aspect of the TMJ
33
Q

The posteromedial surface of the parotid gland is related to which structures?

A
  1. Mastoid process
  2. Sternocleidomastoid muscle
  3. Posterior belly of digastric muscle
  4. Styloid process and its muscles (which separate the gland from major vessels & nerves)
34
Q

Name the three major structures that pass through the parotid gland from superficial to deep.

A
  1. Facial nerve
  2. Retromandibular vein
  3. External carotid artery
35
Q

What are the structures emerging from the anterior border of the parotid gland?

A
  1. Temporal branch of the facial nerve
  2. Zygomatic branch of the facial nerve
  3. Transverse facial vessels
  4. Upper buccal branch of the facial nerve
  5. Parotid duct
  6. Lower buccal branch of the facial nerve
  7. Marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve
36
Q

What structures pass through the posterior border of the parotid gland?

A
  1. Posterior auricular vessels
  2. Posterior auricular branch of the facial nerve
37
Q

Case: A 35-year-old teacher complains of recurrent swelling and pain in the cheek while eating. Examination shows tenderness over Stensen’s duct but no pus discharge.

Q1: What is the most likely cause?

Q2: How is the diagnosis confirmed?

A

Parotid gland obstruction (sialolithiasis)

sialography of parotid duct

38
Q

A 45-year-old man undergoes superficial parotidectomy for a benign tumor. A few months later, he notices sweating and redness over his cheek whenever he eats spicy or sour foods.

Q1: What is the most likely diagnosis?

Q2: Why does this happen after parotid surgery?

A

Frey’s syndrome (gustatory sweating)

A: During parotidectomy, the auriculotemporal nerve (which carries parasympathetic fibers to the parotid gland) can be damaged. During healing, these fibers may abnormally reconnect to sweat glands instead of the salivary gland. As a result, eating triggers sweating and flushing of the cheek instead of salivation.

anatomy (1 decks)

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