Anatomy of the Parotid Gland

Study Notes

The parotid gland is the largest of the salivary glands, weighing approximately 25 grams.
It is situated below the external acoustic meatus, between the ramus of the mandible and the sternocleidomastoid.
The gland overlaps the ramus of the mandible, sternocleidomastoid, and masseter muscle.

The investing layer of the deep cervical fascia forms a capsule for the gland.
The capsule is supplied by the great auricular nerve.
The fascia splits between the angle of the mandible and the mastoid process to enclose the gland.
The stylomandibular ligament separates the parotid gland from the submandibular salivary gland.

Parotid swellings are very painful due to the unyielding nature of the parotid fascia.
Mumps is an infectious disease of the salivary glands, usually the parotid, caused by a specific virus.
Viral parotitis or mumps does not suppurate and its complications are orchitis and pancreatitis.

The gland resembles a three-sided pyramid with its apex directed downwards.
The gland has four surfaces: superior (base of the pyramid), superficial, anteromedial, and posteromedial.
The surfaces are separated by three borders: anterior, posterior, and medial/pharyngeal edge.

The apex of the gland overlaps the posterior belly of the digastric and the adjoining part of the carotid triangle.
The cervical branch of the facial nerve and the two divisions of the retromandibular vein emerge near the apex.
The superior surface is related to the cartilaginous part of the external acoustic meatus, posterior surface of the temporomandibular joint, superficial temporal vessels, and auriculotemporal nerve.
The superficial surface is covered with skin, superficial fascia, parotid fascia, and deep parotid lymph nodes.
The anteromedial surface is grooved by the posterior border of the ramus of the mandible and related to the masseter, lateral surface of the temporomandibular joint, posterior border of the ramus of the mandible, medial pterygoid, and emerging branches of the facial nerve.
The posteromedial surface is moulded to the mastoid and styloid processes and related to the mastoid process, sternocleidomastoid, posterior belly of the digastric, styloid process, external carotid artery, and facial nerve.