Anatomy of the Parotid and Submandibular Glands PDF

## Gl. parotidea - Gl. parotidea belongs to regio parotideomasseterica. - The parotid gland is located in the parotid gland fossa (7). - The parotid gland fossa is bordered anteriorly by the mandibular ramus and muscles, including m. masseter (4) and m. pterygoideus medialis and lateralis. - It is...

## Gl. parotidea - Gl. parotidea belongs to regio parotideomasseterica. - The parotid gland is located in the parotid gland fossa (7). - The parotid gland fossa is bordered anteriorly by the mandibular ramus and muscles, including m. masseter (4) and m. pterygoideus medialis and lateralis. - It is bordered posteriorly by m. sternocleidomastoideus (5). - Medially, the parotid gland fossa extends to spatium lateropharyngeum, including the posterior belly of m. digastricus, styloid muscles (8) and processus styloideus. - The extent of the parotid gland fossa is best understood when seen in a horizontal section of the head. - This section extends to the level of the palatine tonsil (23). - It involves portions of the mandible (9) and the parotid gland (13). - When the gland is removed, the 'cavity', parotid gland fossa is formed. ## Location of the parotid gland - The parotid gland fossa is bordered anteriorly by the mandible (9) with m. masseter (8) on the outer surface, and m. pterygoideus medialis (3) on the inside (m. pterygoideus lateralis also contributes, but lies higher up). - Posteriorly, the fossa is bordered by m. sternocleidomastoideus (22) and medially by spatium lateropharyngeum (4) with styloid muscles (18) and the posterior belly of m. digastricus (21). ## Gl. parotidea Capsule - The parotid gland is surrounded by a thin capsule (12) that is attached to it. - The capsule is continuous with the fascia (7) overlying m. masseter anteriorly and with lamina superficialis fasciae cervicalis inferiorly and posteriorly. - The parotid gland contains important nerves, most importantly n. facialis (2). ## Ductus parotideus - The parotid duct (2) extends from the anterior part of the gland, across m. masseter and through regio buccalis, where it lies in a groove on the anterior surface of corpus adiposum buccae. - In regio buccalis, the parotid duct pierces m. buccinator (3). - The parotid duct terminates on the inside of the cheek, opposite the second molar tooth in the maxilla, at papilla ductus parotidea (5). ## Other important structures in the parotid gland - Besides n. facialis (fig. 10 & 11 Re.) (2), the parotid gland also contains important vessels like a. carotis externa (6) and v. retromandibularis (5). - The location of n. facialis within the actual glandular tissue makes operations more complex, as it can be difficult to dissect all the branches of the nerve from the glandular tissue. - It is crucial to avoid damaging the nerve and to prevent facial muscle paralysis in patients. ## Gl. submandibularis - Gl. submandibularis, the submandibular gland, is a mixed gland, seromucous, meaning it has a predominance of serous secretions. - It resembles a retort, a bent flask (1). - This shape arises due to the posterior border of m. mylohyoideus (3) extending deep into the submandibular gland. - Gl. submandibularis weighs 15 grams. - The gland (11) is yellow, soft and well-lobulated. - It is surrounded by a capsule (12) formed from the lamina superficialis of the cervical fascia. - The capsule is loosely attached to the gland. ## Location of the submandibular gland - That part of the gland (1) located below the m. mylohyoideus (3) is situated in trigonum submandibulare, representing the largest portion. - The smaller part of the gland located above m. mylohyoideus occupies regio sublingualis. ## More details on the location of the submandibular gland - The image (fig. 26 Re.) only depicts the part of the submandibular gland (11) situated beneath m. mylohyoideus (14). - A small space (11 & 12)) has been drawn between the submandibular gland and its capsule to emphasize the loose attachment of the capsule, very loosely attached in fact. - The capsule is derived from lamina superficialis fasciae cervicalis, which continues to the anterior belly of m. digastricus (10), which is also covered. - The fascia is attached to basis mandibulae. ## The submandibular gland fossa - In trigonum submandibulare, the submandibular gland is located within its fossa, submandibularislogen. - The fossa is bordered laterally by the inner surface of the mandibular body (6) and m. pterygoideus medialis (5) at its attachment to the inner surface of the mandibular ramus near the mandibular angle. - Medially and superiorly, the fossa is bordered by the anterior part of m. mylohyoideus (3). - Medially and posteriorly, the posterior border of m. mylohyoideus includes the hyoid bone (4), m. hyoglossus (10) and pharyngeal musculature, specifically the glossopharyngeal part (9) as part of the boundaries of submandibularislogen. ## Structures within the submandibular gland fossa - The oblique orientation of m. mylohyoideus (fig. 26 & 38 Re.) (14) and the vertical orientation of m. hyoglossus (5) create a 'gap' or 'angle' between the 2 muscles. - n. hypoglossus (6) passes through this angle near its tip, and n. lingualis (7) passes a little higher. - After both nerves have passed the posterior border of m. mylohyoideus, they are located in regio sublingualis. - Before reaching the posterior border, the nerves are located in trigonum submandibulare. ## Ductus submandibularis - Ductus submandibularis (2) arises some distance into gl. submandibularis (1). - It leaves the submandibular gland above m. mylohyoideus (3), meaning it leaves the smaller portion of the gland situated in regio sublingualis. - Ductus submandibularis continues forward in regio sublingualis towards caruncula sublingualis (10) in the floor of the mouth behind the lower teeth. ## More on Ductus submandibularis - Ductus submandibularis (fig. 26 Re.) (2) lies medially to gl. sublingualis (3) in regio sublingualis, where it is crossed on its ventral surface by n. lingualis (17). - Ductus submandibularis is as long as ductus parotideus. ## Gl. sublingualis - Gl. sublingualis (1), the sublingual gland, is a mixed, mucoserous gland, with a predominance of mucous secretions. - It is almond-shaped, weighs 7-8 grams, and is yellow, soft and finely lobulated. - Unlike the other 2 major salivary glands, it lacks a capsule.