Parotid duct
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| Parotid duct | |
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| Right parotid gland. Deep and anterior aspects. (Parotid duct labeled at center right.) | |
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| Dissection, showing salivary glands of right side. (Parotid duct visible at center.) | |
| Latin | ductus parotideus |
| Gray's | subject #242 1134 |
| MeSH | Stensen's+Duct |
| Dorlands/Elsevier | d_29/12315033 |
The parotid duct is also known as Stensen's duct. Saliva from the parotid gland passes through it to the mouth.
It pierces the buccal fat, buccopharyngeal fascia and buccinator muscle then opens into the vestibule of the mouth opposite the upper 2nd molar tooth. The buccinator acts as a valve which prevents inflation of the duct during blowing. Running along with the duct superiorly is the transverse facial artery and upper buccal nerve, inferiorly is the lower buccal nerve.
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[edit] Pathology
Blockage, whether caused by salivary duct stones or external compression, may cause pain and swelling of the parotid gland (parotitis)
[edit] Eponym
It is named after Niels Stensen (1638-1686), a Danish anatomist credited with its discovery.
[edit] Additional images
 Outline of side of face, showing chief surface markings. |
[edit] External links
- Diagram at MSU
- eMedicine ent/178 - Parotid duct injuries
- doctor/2052 at Who Named It
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