Masseter m.

Ramus of mandible

Medial pterygoid m.

Deep layer of investing layer of deep cervical fascia

Stylomandibular ligament (thickened portion of the deep layer of investing layer of deep cervical fascia between the styloid process and the mandible)

Styloid process superomedially

Transverse process of the atlas inferomedially

Deep layer of investing layer of deep cervical fascia

Stylohyoid m.

Posterior belly of the digastric m.

Mastoid process of the temporal bone

Sternocleidomastoid m.

Superficial layer of investing layer of deep cervical fascia

External acoustic meatus

Condylar head of the mandible articulating in the glenoid fossa

Deep layer of investing layer of deep cervical fascia where superficial and deep layers merge inferiorly (located between the angle of the mandible and the sternocleidomastoid m.) by angular tract

The largest of all the major salivary glands, entirely serous in secretion

The gland has an inverted pyramidal shape

The gland’s capsule is from the investing layer of deep cervical fascia

About 75% or more of the parotid gland overlies the masseter m.; the rest is retromandibular

Facial n. exits the stylomastoid foramen and gives rise to the posterior auricular n.

Enters the parotid fossa by passing between the stylohyoid m. and the posterior belly of the digastric m.

Small muscular branches innervate the stylohyoid m., the posterior belly of the digastric m., and the auricularis mm.

Once in the fossa, it splits the parotid gland into a superficial lobe and a deep lobe that are connected by an isthmus

Parotid gland’s deep lobe lies adjacent to the lateral pharyngeal space

Within the gland, the facial n. divides into temporofacial and cervicofacial trunks

The trunks form a loop anterior to the gland superficial to the parotid duct and give rise to 5 major branches before emerging from the gland:

Temporal

Zygomatic

Buccal

Marginal mandibular

Cervical

Although it passes through the parotid gland, the facial n. does not provide any innervation to it

Buccal and zygomatic branches of the facial n. form an anastomosing loop superficial to the parotid duct

Also known as Stensen’s duct

The duct is typically 5 cm in length

Forms within the deep lobe and passes from the anterior border of the gland across the masseter superficially, through the buccinator into the oral cavity opposite the 2nd maxillary molar

Accessory parotid tissue often follows the parotid duct

The external carotid a. travels through the parotid gland and gives off branches within the gland:

Posterior auricular a.

Maxillary a.

Superficial temporal a.

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  Transverse facial a.

The retromandibular vein is located superficial to the external carotid artery within the parotid gland

The retromandibular vein is formed by the union of:

Superficial temporal v. (a small transverse facial v. drains into this vein)

Maxillary v.

Typically, the retromandibular v. exits the inferior portion of the parotid gland and divides into:

Anterior division of the retromandibular (which joins the facial v. to form the common facial v.)

Posterior division of the retromandibular (which joins the posterior auricular v. to form the external jugular v.)

Ascends superiorly posterior to the mandible and deep to the posterior belly of the digastric m. and the stylohyoid m. to enter the parotid gland

Within the parotid gland, it gives branches to the gland and the posterior auricular a.

Then branches into the superficial temporal and maxillary aa. within the gland

The transverse facial a. arises from the superficial temporal a. within the gland

Begins posterior to the neck of the mandible and travels anteromedially between the sphenomandibular lig. and the ramus of the mandible

On exiting the parotid gland, passes either superficial or deep to the lateral pterygoid muscle

Begins posterior to the neck of the mandible and travels superiorly as a continuation of the external carotid

Joined by the auriculotemporal n.

Transverse facial

Passes transversely to exit the gland

Passes immediately superior to the parotid duct across the masseter m. and face