Understanding Parotid Ducts And Their Role In Saliva Secretion

Understanding Parotid Ducts And Their Role In Saliva Secretion

Question 1. Parotid duct opening.
Answer:

Parotid duct:

• It is thick walled & about 5 cm long

Parotid duct Beginning:

• It emerges from the middle of the anterior border of the gland

Parotid duct Course:

• It runs forwards & slightly downwards on the masseter
• At its anterior border, it turns medially & pierces

1. Buccal pad of fat

2. Buccopharyngeal fascia

3. Buccinator

• Next it runs forwards for a short distance between the buccinator & the oral mucosa
• Finally turns medially

Parotid duct Termination:

• It opens into the vestibule opposite the crown of the maxillary second molar tooth

Question 2. Nerve supply to parotid gland
Answer:

Nerve supply to parotid gland :

1. Parasympathetic nerves:

• They are Secretomotor
• They pass through following pathway

2. Sympathetic nerves:

• They are vasomotor
• They are derived from plexus around middle meningeal artery

3. Sensory nerves:

• Gland receives sensory supply from Auriculotemporal nerve
• While parotid fascia is supplied by sensory fibres of great auricular nerve