Parotid duct

The parotid duct, or Stensen duct, is a salivary duct. It is the route that saliva takes from the major salivary gland, the parotid gland, into the mouth.[1]

Parotid duct
Right parotid gland. Deep and anterior aspects. (Parotid duct labeled at center left.)
Dissection, showing salivary glands of right side. (Parotid duct visible at center.)
Details
Identifiers
LatinDuctus parotideus
TA98A05.1.02.007
TA22805
FMA10420
Anatomical terminology

Structure

The parotid duct is formed when several interlobular ducts, the largest ducts inside the parotid gland, join. It emerges from the parotid gland. It runs forward along the lateral side of the masseter muscle for around 7 cm.[2] In this course, the duct is surrounded by the buccal fat pad.[2][3] It takes a steep turn at the border of the masseter and passes through the buccinator muscle, opening into the vestibule of the mouth, the region of the mouth between the cheek and the gums, at the parotid papilla, which lies across the second Maxillary (upper) molar tooth.[4]

The buccinator acts as a valve that prevents air forcing into the duct, which would cause pneumoparotitis.[5] Running along with the duct superiorly is the transverse facial artery and upper buccal nerve; running along with the duct inferiorly is the lower buccal nerve.

The exit of the parotid ducts can be felt as small bumps (papillae) on both sides of the mouth, and are usually positioned next to the maxillary second molars.

Relations

The parotid duct lies close to the buccal branch of the facial nerve (VII).[2] It is also close to the transverse facial artery.[2]

Clinical significance

Blockage, whether caused by salivary duct stones or external compression, may cause pain and swelling of the parotid gland (parotitis).

Koplik's spots which are pathognomonic of measles are found near the opening of the parotid duct.

The parotid duct may be cannulated by inserting a tube through the internal orifice in the mouth.[2] Dye may be injected to allow for imaging of the parotid duct.[2]

History

The parotid duct is named after Nicolas Steno (1638–1686), also known as Niels Stensen, a Danish anatomist (albeit best known as a geologist) credited with its detailed description in 1660.[6] This is where the alternative name "Stensen duct" originates from.[2][6]

Additional images
  • Outline of side of face, showing chief surface markings.
  • Microscopic slide of a human interlobular duct.
  • Microscopic slide of a human striated duct.
  • The left papilla (soft tissue protuberance at the exit) of the parotid duct is clearly visible on the cheek in the right of the photo.
  • Parotid duct
  • Parotid duct
  • Parotid duct

See also

References
  1. Nanci A (2013). Ten Cate's Oral Histology: Development, Structure, and Function. Elsevier. p. 255. ISBN 978-0-323-07846-7.
  2. Steinberg, Mark J.; Herréra, Andres F. (2005-02-01). "Management of parotid duct injuries". Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontology. 99 (2): 136–141. doi:10.1016/j.tripleo.2004.05.001. ISSN 1079-2104.
  3. Latarjet M, Ruiz Liard A (2005). Human Anatomy (Spanish ed.). Editorial Médica Panamericana. ISBN 978-950-06-1368-2.
  4. Bath-Balogh M, Fehrenbach MJ (2011). Illustrated Dental Embryology, Histology, and Anatomy, Bath-Balogh and Fehrenbach. Elsevier. p. 135. ISBN 978-1-4377-1730-3.
  5. Faizal B, Chandran MP (2012). "Pneumoparotitis" (PDF). Amrita Journal of Medicine. 8 (2): 1–44. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-12-11.
  6. Natale G, Bocci G, Ribatti D (September 2017). "Scholars and scientists in the history of the lymphatic system". Journal of Anatomy. 231 (3): 417–429. doi:10.1111/joa.12644. PMC 5554832. PMID 28614587.

Further reading
  • Casseri GC (1627). Tabulae anatomicae, lxxiix. Venetis.
  • Stensen N (1662). Observationes anatomicae, quibus varia oris, oculorum & narium vas describuntur novique salivae, lacrymarum & muci fontes deteguntur. Lugduni Batavorum: J. Chouët.
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