Medicogramover 7 years ago

Parotid gland surgery

Parotidectomy, surgical removal of the parotid gland, performed due to a cancer in it or due to its chronic inflammation. Parotid gland is the largest salivary gland. It lies deep to the external auditory meatus, behind the ramus of the mandible & infront of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Parotid gland is innervated by glossopharengeal nerve. Saliva is released from parotid gland into the parotid duct or Stensen's duct (as shown in the photograph) and is then opened into the mouth to assist the digestion of starch by the action of alpha amylase.