Parotid Region and Facial Nerve

Question 1

where is the parotid region

Answer 1

anterior to the ear and inferior to the zygomatic arch

Question 2

what does the parotid region contain

Answer 2

parotid gland, parotid duct, facial nerve, ECA, retromandibular vein

Question 3

where is the parotid gland

Answer 3

outside of the oral cavity between zygomatic arch and lower border of mandible

Question 4

what is the parotid gland enclosed in

Answer 4

the parortid sheath

Question 5

what is the parotid sheath

Answer 5

tough capsule derived from investing layer of fascia

Question 6

where does the parotid duct enter the mouth

Answer 6

near upper 2nd molars

Question 7

what structure does the parotid duct pierce

Answer 7

buccinator

Question 8

what makes the parotid gland flexible

Answer 8

fatty tissue between lobes of gland

Question 9

what structures are embedded in the parotid gland

Answer 9

retromandibular vein, external carotid artery, parotid lymph nodes, CNVII

Question 10

what does the external carotid artery give off when it enters the parotid gland

Answer 10

posterior auricular artery

Question 11

what are the terminal branches of the external carotid artery

Answer 11

superficial temporal and maxillary artery

Question 12

what is the arterial supply to the parotid gland

Answer 12

superficial temporal, maxillary and posterior auricular

Question 13

where do the preganglionic fibres for the parasympathetic innervation of the parotid gland come from and where do they go

Answer 13

from glossopharyngeal nerve to the otic ganglion in the tympanic nerve and lesser petrosal nerve

Question 14

where do the postganglionic fibres in the parasympathetic innervation of the parotid gland come from and where do they go

Answer 14

from the otic ganglion to the auriculotemporal nerve and then parotid gland

Question 15

what is the sympathetic innervation from the parotid gland from

Answer 15

superior cervical ganglion and nerve plexus on the external carotid artery

Question 16

what does the sympathetic innervation of the parotid gland lead to

Answer 16

vasoconstriction and some reduction in the volume of saliva that leads to dry mouth

Question 17

where does the intratemporal portion of the facial nerve travel once it exits the pons

Answer 17

into internal acoustic meatus then facial canal.

Question 18

what do the 2 roots of the facial nerve join to form

Answer 18

geniculate ganglion

Question 19

before exiting the skull, what branches come off of the facial nerve

Answer 19

nerve to stapedius (middle ear), chorda tympani (joins lingual to tongue)

Question 20

where does the facial nerve exit the skull

Answer 20

stylomastoid foramen

Question 21

what branches of the facial nerve are given off at the extratemporal part

Answer 21

posterior auricular and digastric branch

Question 22

what re the 5 branches of the parotid gland

Answer 22

temporal branch, zygomatic branch, buccal branches, marginal mandibular branch, cervical branch

Question 23

if the zygomatic branch is paralysed what does it affect

Answer 23

orbicularis oculi, inferior eyelid falls away and lacrimal fluid cannot be spread and falls onto face = corneal damage

Question 24

if the buccal branch is paralysed what does it affect

Answer 24

buccinator and orbicularis oris - food needs to be manually removed if accumulated in mouth

Question 25

what is the suspected cause of bells palsy

Answer 25

unknown but could be viral infections around the facial nerve

Question 26

what is important to remember to give to a patient with bells palsy

Answer 26

eye patch

Question 27

if bells palsy lasts more than 2 years what can be done to fix aesthetics

Answer 27

static reconstruction using tensor fasciae latae from leg

Question 28

what procedure can lead to bruising/injury to the facial nerve

Answer 28

parotidectomy

Question 29

if you suspect that a parotidectomy will damage the facial nerve, which nerve can be grafted to replace it

Answer 29

great auricular nerve

Question 30

what is mumps

Answer 30

viral infection in children

Question 31

what are the symptoms of mumps

Answer 31

fever, headache, joint pain

Question 32

what clinical sign is detectable when a child has mumps

Answer 32

swelling of parotid gland

Question 33

why is the swelling of the parotid gland painful

Answer 33

as it is in a fibrous capsule