Parotid glands

The largest salivary glands, critical for the production and secretion of saliva.

Parotid glands are a pair of major salivary glands located on either side of the face, just in front of the ears. They produce a significant portion of the saliva necessary for digestion and oral health, which is transported to the mouth through ducts. These glands are structured with a serous acinar arrangement, producing a watery secretion that is rich in enzymes.

Terminologia Anatomica

glandulae parotidae

System

Digestive system

Function

The primary function of the parotid glands is to produce and secrete saliva, which plays several vital roles in the digestive process and oral health. Saliva contains enzymes such as amylase, which begins the breakdown of carbohydrates, and lysozyme, an enzyme with antibacterial properties that helps maintain oral hygiene. Additionally, the saliva produced by the parotid glands serves to lubricate food, facilitating easier swallowing. It plays an essential role in the initial stages of digestion by aiding in the formation of a food bolus, which moves into the esophagus. Furthermore, saliva regulates mouth moisture, which is critical for taste perception and protecting oral tissues from injury and infection.

Location

The parotid glands are located bilaterally in the upper jaw region, nestled between the skin and the masseter muscle, extending from the zygomatic arch to the angle of the mandible. Each gland has a duct, the parotid duct (Stensen's duct), which opens into the mouth at the second upper molar tooth. This strategic position not only facilitates saliva delivery to the oral cavity but also makes them highly accessible to any physical injuries during dental procedures or infections that could arise in the oral cavity.

Did You Know?

The parotid glands can become swollen due to infections, such as mumps, or due to blockages caused by salivary stones.
Despite being the largest salivary glands, the parotids only account for about 25% of total saliva production; the majority comes from the submandibular and sublingual glands.
Parotid glands have both sensory and sympathetic nerve supply, contributing to their regulation during food intake.
In some cases, a tumor can develop in the parotid gland, accounting for approximately 80% of all salivary gland tumors.