Structure/Morphology
Several ductules from the lobules of the parotid gland unite to form the parotid duct. Once formed, the parotid duct is approximately 5 cm long and 3 mm wide (Standring, 2016). It emerges from the anterior margin of the upper parotid gland approximately one fingers breath inferior to the zygomatic arch. It runs horizontally across masseter muscle towards the oral cavity. As it reaches the anterior border of the masseter muscle, it turns medially before piercing the buccinator muscles. After piercing the buccinator muscle, the parotid duct opens into the buccal mucosa of the oral cavity via a small papilla in the region of the second upper molar.
Related parts of the anatomy
List of Clinical Correlates
- Parotid duct obstruction
References
Standring, S. (2016) Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. Gray's Anatomy Series 41 edn.: Elsevier Limited.
Learn more about this topic from other Elsevier products
Parotid Duct
Salivary duct cyst is a retention cyst of the excretory salivary duct and exhibits squamous, mucous, oncocytic and ciliated cell metaplasia, but it is not keratinized.
