Parotid Region & Facial Nerve Flashcards
where is the parotid region?
anterior to the each and inferior to the zygomatic arch
what is the parotid gland?
the largest of the salivary glands
- produces mostly serous secretions
what is the parotid enclosed in?
Enclosed in the parotid sheath
- tough fascial capsule derived from investing layer of deep cervical fascia
what muscle does the parotid duct pierce?
buccinator
what structures are embedded in the parotid gland?
- retromandibular vein
- external carotid artery
- parotid lymph nodes
- CNVII
what is the parasympathetic innervation of the parotid gland?
- preganglionic fibres from the Glossopharyngeal nerve (CNIX) travel to the otic ganglion in the tympanic nerve & lesser petrosal nerve
- post ganglionic fibres from the otic ganglion pass to the auriculotemporal nerve (CNV3) that sens branches to the parotid gland
what supplies blood to the parotid gland?
the parotid gland receives its arterial supply from the branches of the external carotid that run through it
what is the venous drainage of the parotid gland?
- maxillary vein
- superficial temporal vein
what is the sympathetic innervation of the parotid gland?
- derived from the superior cervical ganglion & nerve plexus on the ECA
what does sympathetic activation of the parotid gland result in?
vasoconstriction & reduction in volume of saliva (leading to dry mouth)
what foramena does the facial nerve travel through?
internal acoustic meatus
describe the facial nerve supply to the tongue:
the chorda tympani branches off the facial to hitchhike with the lingual nerve
- supplies taste & sensation to the anterior 2/3 of tongue
where does the facial nerve exit the skull?
stylomastoid foramen
when the facial nerve exist the skull, what are the two branches that it immediately gives off?
- posterior auricular
- digastric branch
what does the posterior auricular nerve supply?
- auricularis posterior
- occipital belly of the occipitofrontalis muscle
