ABSTRACT
The name ‘parotid’ comes from the Greek for ‘near the ear’. Its most important relation is with the facial nerve; 80% of the gland lies superficial to it.
Lumps in the parotid gland are 80% likely to be benign, whereas with submandibular gland lumps, the incidence of benign lesions is 50% and in the sublingual glands, it is 20%, i.e. such lesions are more likely to be malignant. Parotid lumps are more likely to be malignant in children.
