Parotid gland

The parotid gland ( also parotid, parotid gland or parotid gland ) is the largest salivary gland in the jaw mouth area in higher vertebrates. It differs from the other salivary glands by their size, location, and composition of saliva, which she produced.

Location and size

In humans, the gland is present on both sides of the face and below the ear. It extends down from the zygomatic arch to the angle of the jaw. It has a flat, triangular shape, and a weight of 20-30 grams. It is surrounded by a capsule of connective tissue ( fascia ), also known as parotid or parotid fascia. Inside it is divided by connective tissue into lobules. The glandular cells lying there produce a primary saliva, which changes on the way through the efferent system in its composition. Your duct ( parotid duct, Stenon -speed ) runs along the masticatory muscles ( masseter ) and passes through the bakery muscle (musculus buccinator) and the buccal mucosa through. The ending of the excretory duct ( parotid papilla ) in the oral cavity is compared to the first to recognize up second upper molar tooth as a small dark spot.

In the parotid gland is the so-called parotid plexus, which consists of fibers of the facial nerve ( VII cranial nerve). The parotid plexus the fibers leaving are also responsible for controlling the muscles of facial expression on his face. In addition, the nerve runs through the parotid auriculotemporalis, a sensitive nerve that comes from the rear trunk of the mandibular nerve, which in turn comes from the trigeminal nerve. The ulnar auriculotemporalis are some with Leading parasympathetic fibers to the parotid from ( parasympathetic innervation by the glossopharyngeal nerve (IX ) → " Jacobson anastomosis ").

Due to the parotid gland also runs the external carotid artery, which in this area in its terminal branches, the maxillary artery and the superficial temporal artery is divided. The parotid gland is supplied by the posterior ramus of the parotid artery auricular. The flow of blood through the veins is done parotideae, which open into the vena retromandibular and finally into the internal jugular vein.

The lymphatic drainage is via the Parotislymphknoten.

Composition of the Parotisspeichels

The parotid gland is one of the pure serous glands. This means that the produced by their saliva is pure liquid (aqueous) without slimy ( mucous ) Additional. Therefore, the saliva of the parotid gland is thin, slightly alkaline and rich in proteins and enzymes, especially of amylase. This enzyme is the decomposition of carbohydrates. Also, the saliva contains the parotid immunoglobulins that serve the immunological defense in the mouth.

Diseases of the parotid

Diseases of the parotid gland, parotid, mumps

Study possibilities of the parotid

  • Palpation of the organ and the excretory duct
  • Ultrasound
  • Biopsy from the organ
  • Response plot with x-ray contrast agent as Sialografie
  • Computed tomography
  • NMR
Sublingual gland Auriculotemporal nerve Lesser petrosal nerve Sialography
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