ABSTRACT
The parotid, submandibular and sublingual glands are the three paired major salivary glands; the minor salivary glands are multiple and situated mainly in the lips, buccal mucosa, tongue and palate, but they can be present anywhere along the aerodigestive tract. The parotid is ectodermal in origin, while the submandibular and sublingual glands are endodermal. The parotid represents the largest of the salivary glands and is situated in front of the external. The parotid duct passes over the masseter muscle and enters the buccal mucosa through the buccinator muscle at the level of the upper second molar tooth. The lymphatic system develops within the parotid glandular tissue after encapsulation of the submandibular and sublingual glands. The glossopharyngeal nerve carries preganglionic parasympathetic fibres from the inferior salivatory nucleus. The gland is surrounded by a well-defined capsule derived from the deep cervical fascia, which splits to enclose it.
