Is This Your Question: What is Parotid Gland Cancer?

The parotid gland is the largest of the major salivary glands and the most likely to develop cancer. It is located in the cheek in front of the ear. The smaller major salivary glands are the sublingual salivary glands, which are under each side of the tongue, and the submandibular glands, which are under and inside the lower jaw bone (the mandible), toward the back. There are also a number of small minor salivary glands in the mouth. The salivary glands produce saliva, which helps keep the mouth moist and aids in digestion. Several different types of cells can be found in salivary glands; as a result, several different types of cancers can develop. Some are slow growing; others are more aggressive. The risk of parotid and other salivary gland cancers seems to increase following radiation exposure. The risk also tends to go up with age; salivary gland cancers are most common in people age 55 or older. Overall, salivary gland cancers are quite rare, occurring in approximately two in every 100,000 people each yar in the United States.''

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Submandibular Glands / Submandibular Salivary Gland Swelling

Anatomy

Approximately 1.5 L/day of saliva is produced by three pairs of major salivary glands:

The parotid glands lie below the external auditory meatus, between the vertical ramus of the mandible and the mastoid process. The parotid duct crosses the masseter and opens via a small papilla on the buccal membrane opposite the crown of the second upper molar. The parotid gland has an intimate relationship with the facial nerve, which subdivides into its branches as it passes through the parotid.
The submandibular glands are walnut-sized paired structures, lying beneath and in front of the angle of the jaw, wrapping around the posterior edge of the mylohyoid muscle. Their ducts emerge to the floor of the mouth just lateral to the frenulum of the tongue.
The sublingual glands lie below the tongue and open through several ducts to the floor of the mouth.

There are also a large number (600-1,000) of minor salivary glands widely distributed throughout the oral mucosa, palate, uvula, floor of the mouth, posterior tongue, retromolar and peritonsillar area, pharynx, larynx and paranasal sinuses.
Presentation
Symptoms

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Salivary Gland / thyroid disorders / Salivary

Nonneoplastic pathology

1. Metabolic conditions
2. Infectious conditions
3. Immunologic conditions

Neoplastic pathology
Postoperative complications
Parotid Gland
Largest of the major salivary glands (28 g)
Located inferior to zygomatic arch,
anterior to the mastoid process and
external auditory meatus and posterior to
the ramus

Stensen's duct is approximately 6 cm in
length and penetrates the buccinator
muscle and exits opposite the second
molar
The facial nerve divides the parotid gland
into superficial and deep lobes

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