Unit 4 - Head and Neck: Parotid Region (Ex. III)

Question 1

What does it include?

Answer 1

parotid gland and surrounding structures

Question 2

parotid gland

Answer 2

largest of 3 salivary glands
A to ear on L side of face
S part of gland lies on masseter
deep part curves around P edge of ramus and mandible
tough parotid fascia derived from deep cervical fascia encloses it
PARASYMP fibers arise w/ glossopharyngeal n. (CN IX) –> synapse in otic ganglion; postganglionic fibers hitchike on auriculotemporal n. of CN V3 (mandibular branch from trigeminal n. - CN V)

Question 3

parotid duct

Answer 3

crosses masseter superficially - pierces buccinator to enter mouth
opens opposite 2nd upper molar

Question 4

parotid plexus

Answer 4

formed by:
  - facial n. (VII)
embedded w/in parotid gland
gives rise to 5 branches that supply muscles of face:
  - temporal
  - zygomatic
  - buccal
  - mandibular
  - cervical

Question 5

structures traveling w/ or embedded w/in parotid gland

Answer 5

parotid plexus of facial n. (CN VII)
retromandibular v. –> formed by superficial temporal and maxillary vv.
external carotid a. and origin of terminal branches - superficial temporal and maxillary aa.
parotid lymph nodes - drain parotid gland, external ear, forehead, and temporal region

Question 6

location

Answer 6

superficial to the ramus of mandible