Pathoma Salivary Gland

Question 1

basic principles of salivary glands

Answer 1

*salivary glands are exocrine glands that secrete saliva
*divided into major (parotid, submandibular, and sublingual) and minor glands (hundreds of microscopic glands distributed throughout the oral mucosa)

Question 2

mumps

Answer 2

*infection with mumps virus
*results in bilateral inflamed parotid glands
*orchitis (inflamed testicles), pancreatitis, and aspetic meningitis may also be present
-serum amylase is increased due to salivary gland OR pancreatic involvement
-orchitis carries risk of sterility (esp in teenagers)

Question 3

sialadenitis

Answer 3

*inflammation of the salivary gland
*most commonly due to an obstructing stone (sialolithiasis) leading to Staph aureus infection
*usually unilateral

Question 4

pleomorphic adenoma

Answer 4

*benign tumor composed of stromal (e.g. cartilage) AND epithelial tissue (e.g. glands) [biphasic tumor]
*most common tumor of salivary gland
*usually arises in parotid
*mobile, painless, circumscribed mass at angle of jaw
*high rate of recurrence; extension of small islands of tumor through tumor capsule often leads to incomplete resection!!
*rarely may transform into carcinoma, which presents with signs of facial nerve damage

Question 5

warthin tumor

Answer 5

*benign cystic tumor with abundant lymphocytes and germinal centers (lymph node-like stroma)
*2nd most common tumor of salivary gland
*almost always arises in parotid

Question 6

mucoepidermoid carcinoma

Answer 6

*malignant tumor composed of mucinous and squamous cells
*most common MALIGNANT tumor of the salivary gland
*usually arises in parotid; commonly involves facial nerve