Bed of the parotid salivary gland diagram. Parotid salivary gland: topography, structure, excretory duct, blood supply and innervation

(synonyms: stenon duct, stenon duct; lat. ductus parotideus) is a paired excretory duct of the parotid salivary gland through which it is excreted, produced by the parotid glands (almost 4-5 centimeters in length and 3 mm in diameter). It is bilateral and is located superficial to lower jaw.

Excretory duct of the parotid salivary gland. The place where the Stenon duct opens is marked with a red marker.

Etymology

The channel is named after Nicolas Steno (1638-1686) a student at Leiden University. A Danish anatomist made a detailed description of it in April 1660 while studying the head of a ram.

Anatomy

The parotid duct is formed when several interlobular ducts join to form a common duct in the parotid gland. It leaves the gland and runs forward along the lateral side (1 cm below the zygomatic arch). In this area, the duct is surrounded by buccal fatty tissue. The canal goes around the front of the masseter muscle and passes through. It is in this area that the excretory duct of the parotid gland opens in the oral cavity - at the level of 2 molars upper jaw , it is possible to open the mouth on the zhek in the projection of the first molar of the upper jaw. The exit of the parotid ducts can be felt as small papillae on either side of the mouth and are usually located adjacent to the maxillary second molars on view inner surface cheeks.

The buccal muscle acts as a valve that prevents air from entering the duct, which can cause pneumoparotitis.

Pathology

Blockage of the duct of the parotid salivary gland can occur due to obstruction of the lumen by a stone or the cause may be external compression of the duct. Also, the cause of obstruction can be an inflammatory process - sialadenitis. It is worth noting that stones are more often found in the submandibular gland or its duct.

Parotid obstruction can occur for many reasons, such as:

  • Salivary gland stones made of calcium and other minerals (most common)
  • Scar tissue
  • Mucus plugs
  • Foreign objects
  • Abnormal cell growth

Stenon's duct can be damaged by surgical interventions or due to a domestic injury. Early diagnosis and treatment of duct damage has great importance, because complications such as sialocele and salivary gland fistula may develop if the canal is not surgically repaired.

Diagnosis begins with a history and physical examination. The dentist should investigate inner part oral cavity. The skin outside the gland will likely be palpated to check if there is painful sensations. In some cases, a stone may be found.

To prevent the development of many pathologies, it is enough to learn more about own body and the body. On the Internet you can find great amount information about any organ, delve into the intricacies of its work and understand the mechanism of development of many diseases. If a patient is periodically concerned about discomfort associated with dysfunction of the salivary glands, it will be useful for him to read the article below - it provides answers to such common questions as: where are the salivary glands, the topography of the excretory ducts, the structure and their functions.

  • Where are the salivary glands located in the human mouth?
    • Parotid
    • Submandibular (submandibular)
    • Sublingual
    • Small
  • Topography of excretory ducts
  • Structural features
  • The importance of organs in digestion and the provision of taste sensations

Where are the salivary glands located?

In anatomy, all salivary glands are divided into 2 groups - large and small. Despite their size, together they form. The body has 3 pairs of large and many small salivary glands. Where are the salivary glands located? Each of the “large” glands has its own location. This can be partly guessed by the name of the organ itself: , and - these names speak for themselves.

1 - Parotid salivary gland; 2 - Sublingual salivary gland; 3 - Submandibular salivary gland

Topography of the parotid salivary gland

The largest in size in humans are. The composition of the secretion they secrete is predominantly serous type. They are located directly under the skin, on outer surface mandible and masseter muscle, below and slightly anterior to auricle.

The parotid gland is covered on top with the fascia of the same name, forming a strong capsule around it.

Location of the submandibular gland

The submandibular gland is medium in size and secretes saliva mixed type(with approximately equal amounts of serous and mucous components). It is located in the submandibular triangle, in contact with the superficial layer of the cervical fascia, styloglossus, hypoglossus and mylohyoid muscles.

In addition, its lateral surface is closely adjacent to the facial artery and vein, as well as regional lymph nodes.

Location of the sublingual salivary gland

The sublingual salivary glands are the smallest of the group of major salivary glands. They are localized immediately under the mucous membrane lining the bottom oral cavity, on the sides of the tongue. The saliva they produce is of the mucous type. Adjacent to the gland on the side are the inner surface of the body of the lower jaw, the genioglossus, geniohyoid and hyoglossus muscles.

Where are the minor salivary glands located?

The location of the minor salivary glands corresponds to the oral area; they lie deep in the mucous membrane:

  • labial;
  • buccal;
  • molar;
  • palatal;
  • lingual.

In addition to classification by location, small glands are distinguished by the type of secretion they secrete:

  1. serous (lingual);
  2. mucous membranes (palatal and partially lingual);
  3. mixed (buccal, molar, labial).

Below is a photo from a short diagram Locations of all salivary glands:

Topographic anatomy of the excretory ducts of the salivary glands

The excretory ducts of each salivary gland have their own topography:

  1. Excretory duct parotid gland(according to the author - stenon or parotid duct) begins at the anterior edge of the gland, runs along the masticatory muscle, then passes through adipose tissue cheeks, pierces the buccal muscle and opens on the vestibule of the mouth at the second molar (large molar).
  2. The excretory duct of the submandibular gland (Wharton's or submandibular duct) runs along the floor of the mouth and opens on the sublingual papilla near the frenulum of the tongue.
  3. The sublingual salivary gland has many small short ducts that open along the sublingual fold. The mouth of the large excretory duct of the sublingual gland opens independently on the sublingual papilla or is united by a common opening with the submandibular duct.

In some patients, there may be an accessory parotid gland adjacent to the parotid duct.

The structure of the salivary glands

The structure of the human salivary glands is distinguished by its complexity and uniqueness. All glands have their own topography, histology ( cellular structure) and anatomy, as well as specific physiological and structural features.

The parotid salivary gland weighs about 20-30 grams and consists of 2 lobes: superficial and deep. Its main excretory duct is 5-7 cm long (the size may vary depending on individual characteristics patient). In shape, it usually resembles a straight line or an arc (occasionally a bifurcated or branched structure of the duct is observed). In older people, the duct is somewhat wider than in younger patients.

The organ is supplied with blood from the branch of the same name of the superficial temporal artery and innervated by the branches of the sympathetic nerve trunk.

The color of the parotid salivary gland ranges from dark pink to grayish (the shade depends primarily on the speed of blood flow). When palpating, the organ is quite difficult to feel. The structure of the gland has a dense consistency with a bumpy surface.

The submandibular salivary gland has a lobular structure, it is formed connective tissue, just like the parotid, is covered with a thick, dense capsule. Covers it from the inside fatty tissue, filling the space between the capsule and the gland. The consistency of the organ is dense, it has a pinkish or yellowish-gray tint. With age, the gland may decrease in size. The structure of the excretory duct is similar to that of the Stenon (parotid) duct: 5-7 cm in length, 2-4 mm in diameter.

The submandibular gland receives nutrition from the mental, facial and lingual arteries and is innervated by the chorda tympani (branch of the facial nerve).

The sublingual glands are the smallest among the large glands (their weight is only 3-5 grams). They have a tubular-alveolar structure, are light pink in color and covered with a thin capsular membrane. The length of their main excretory duct is 1-2 cm, diameter is 1-2 mm. They are supplied by the mental and sublingual arteries and innervated by the chorda tympani.

The tissue of the excretory ducts of all salivary glands is of mesenchymal origin.

The importance of the salivary glands

The clinical importance of the salivary glands in human life is difficult to overestimate - they play one of the leading roles and are largely responsible for taste sensations patient. The main functions of the salivary glands include:

  • endocrine (production of hormone-like substances);
  • exocrine (self-regulation chemical composition saliva);
  • excretory (neutralization and release of side components);
  • filtration (filtration of liquid components of blood plasma into saliva).

Thanks to hormone-like substances in the oral cavity, the first digestive mechanisms are launched. Saliva begins to dissolve nutritional components and regulate the temperature in the oral cavity. In addition, they are responsible for the smooth operation of swallowing and sucking reflexes in a newborn, as well as for a stable level of calcium and phosphorus in the body.

Self-regulation of the chemical composition of saliva occurs due to the following enzymes secreted by the glands:

  • mucin, which envelops and moisturizes food, forming a food bolus;
  • maltase, which breaks down carbohydrates;
  • amylase, which triggers the processes of transformation of polysaccharides;
  • lysozyme, which has an antibacterial and protective effect.

In addition to the above substances, saliva also contains calcium, zinc and phosphorus, which help strengthen tooth enamel.

The excretory function is responsible for removing metabolic products: ammonia, bile acids, urea, salts, and so on. By their excess content in saliva, one can judge about impaired renal function or failures in endocrine system body.

Using the filtering function, the following occurs:

  • synthesis of insulin and parotin (a hormone involved in the synthesis of dental tissue, bone and cartilage tissue);
  • regulation of the intake of kallikrein, renin and erythropoietin into the body.

Saliva protects the mucous membranes of the oral cavity from drying out, constantly moisturizing them, helps soften food during chewing, has a caries-protective effect and cleanses teeth from bacteria and minor soft dental deposits.

The salivary glands are an important organ that regulates many different functions in the human body. At the same time, for many patients they are the weak point - with poor oral hygiene, ignoring acute and chronic inflammatory diseases pathological processes such as sialadenitis, and so on, can develop in the glands. In this case, it is important not to self-medicate, but to seek help from a qualified specialist as soon as possible.

parotid gland,glandula parotidea, is a serous type gland. This is the largest of the salivary glands and has an irregular shape.

Topography of the parotid salivary gland

It is located under the skin anterior and inferior to the auricle, on the lateral surface of the branch of the mandible and the posterior edge of the masticatory muscle.

The fascia of this muscle is fused with the capsule of the parotid salivary gland.

At the top, the gland almost reaches the zygomatic arch, at the bottom - to the angle of the lower jaw, and at the back - to mastoid process temporal bone and the anterior edge of the sternocleidomastoid muscle.

In the depths, behind the lower jaw (in the maxillary fossa), the parotid gland with its deep part, pars profunda, adjacent to the styloid process and the muscles starting from it: stylohyoid, styloglossus, stylopharyngeal.

The external carotid artery, the mandibular vein, the facial and auriculotemporal nerves pass through the gland, and deep parotid nerves are located in its thickness. The lymph nodes.

Structure parotid salivary gland

The parotid gland has a soft consistency and well-defined lobulation. The outside of the gland is covered with a connecting capsule, bundles of fibers of which extend into the organ and separate the lobules from each other.

Channels parotid salivary gland

Excretory parotid duct, ductus parotideus(stenon duct), leaves the gland at its anterior edge, goes forward 1-2 cm below the zygomatic arch along the outer surface of the masticatory muscle, then, going around the anterior edge of this muscle, pierces the buccal muscle and opens on the vestibule of the mouth at the level of the second upper major molar tooth.

In its structure, the parotid gland is a complex alveolar gland. On the surface of the masticatory muscle next to the parotid duct is often located accessory parotid gland,glandula parotis accessoria.

Vessels and nerves of the parotid gland

Arterial blood enters the branches of the parotid gland from the superficial temporal artery. Deoxygenated blood flows into the mandibular vein. Lymphatic vessels The glands drain into the superficial and deep parotid lymph nodes. Innervation: sensitive - from the auriculotemporal nerve, parasympathetic - postganglionic fibers in the auriculotemporal nerve from the ear ganglion, sympathetic - from the plexus around the external carotid artery and its branches.

What is a salivary gland? The salivary gland (glandulae salivariae) is an external secretion gland that produces a special substance called saliva. These glands are located throughout the oral cavity, as well as in the maxillofacial area. The ducts of the salivary glands open in different places oral cavity.

In the definition of the term “salivary gland” there is a mention that it is an organ of external secretion - this means that the products synthesized in it enter the cavity associated with external environment(in this case it is oral)

Types and functions

There are several classifications.

The sizes of glandulae salivariae are:

  • large;
  • small.

According to the nature of the secreted secret:

  • serous - saliva is enriched big amount squirrel;
  • mucous - the secretion contains predominantly a mucous component;
  • mixed - they can secrete serous and mucous secretions.

The main function of glandulae salivariae is the production of saliva.

Saliva is a transparent, slightly viscous, slightly alkaline substance. More than 99.5% of its composition is water. The remaining 0.5% are salts, enzymes (lipase, maltase, peptidase, etc.), mucin (mucus), lysozyme (antibacterial substance).

All functions of saliva are divided into 2 types - digestive and non-digestive. Digestive ones include:

  • enzymatic (breakdown of certain substances, for example, complex carbohydrates starts in the mouth);
  • formation of a food bolus;
  • thermoregulatory (cooling or heating food to body temperature).

Non-digestive functions:

  • moisturizing;
  • bactericidal;
  • participation in the mineralization of teeth, maintenance certain composition tooth enamel.

Note. The study of the function of glandulae salivariae was carried out by Academician Pavlov during experiments on dogs in late XIX century.

Minor salivary glands

They make up the bulk of all glandulae salivariae. They are located throughout the oral cavity.

Depending on the location, small glands are called:

  • buccal;
  • palatal;
  • lingual;
  • gingival;
  • molar (located at the base of the teeth);
  • labial

In terms of secretion, most of them are mixed, but there are serous and mucous ones.

The main function is to maintain normal level saliva in the mouth. This prevents the mucous membrane from drying out between meals.

Major salivary glands

The number of large salivary glands in humans is six. Among them are:

  • 2 parotid;
  • 2 submandibular;
  • 2 sublingual.

Note. Glands are formed at 2 months embryonic development from the epithelium of the oral mucosa and initially have the appearance of small strands. Subsequently, their size increases, and future ducts appear. At the 3rd month, a channel appears inside these outflow tracts, connecting them to the oral cavity.

During the day, large glandulae salivariae synthesize a small amount of saliva, but when food arrives, its amount increases sharply.

Parotid gland

It is the largest of all salivary glands. It is serous in appearance of secretion. Weight about 20 grams. The volume of secretion released per day is about 300-500 ml.

This salivary gland is located behind the ear, mainly in the retromaxillary fossa, limited in front by the angle of the lower jaw, and behind by the bony part ear canal. The anterior edge of the glandula parotidea (salivary gland) lies on the surface of the masseter muscle.

The body of the gland is covered with a capsule. The blood supply comes from the parotid artery, which is a branch of the temporal artery. Lymphatic drainage from this salivary gland goes to two groups of lymph nodes:

  • superficial;
  • deep.

The excretory duct (stenon) begins from the anterior edge of the glandula parotidea, then, passing through the thickness of the masticatory muscle, it opens in the mouth. The number of outflow tracts may vary.

Important! Since the body of glandula parotidea is located for the most part in a bone cavity, it is well protected. However, she has two weak points: its deep part adjacent to the internal fascia, and the posterior surface in the region of the membranous part of the auditory canal. These places, when suppurated, are the area for the formation of a fistula tract.

Submandibular salivary gland

So is the large glandulae salivariae. It is slightly smaller in size and weighs about 14-17 grams.

According to the type of secretion produced by this gland, it is mixed.

Glandula submandibularis has an excretory duct called Wharton's. It starts from its inner surface, going obliquely upward into the oral cavity.

Sublingual salivary gland

It is the smallest of the major salivary glands. Its weight is only 4-6 grams. Oval in shape, maybe slightly flattened. The type of secretion is mucous.

The excretory duct is called Bartholin's duct. There are options for opening it in the sublingual area:

  • independent opening, often near the frenulum of the tongue;
  • after merging with the ducts of the submandibular glands on the caruncula sublingualis;
  • many small ducts opening on the caruncula sublingualis (sublingual fold).

Diseases of the salivary glands

All diseases of glandulae salivariae are divided into several groups:

  • inflammatory (sialoadenitis);
  • salivary stone disease (sialolithiasis);
  • oncological processes;
  • developmental defects;
  • cysts;
  • mechanical damage to the gland;
  • sialoses - the development of dystrophic processes in the tissues of the gland;
  • sialadenopathy.

The main symptom of the presence of the disease glandulae salivariae is an increase in size.

The second symptom that characterizes the presence of problems with glandulae salivariae is xerostomia, or a feeling of dry mouth.

The third symptom of anxiety is pain. It may occur both in the area of ​​the gland itself and irradiate into surrounding tissues.

Important! If you have at least one of the above symptoms, you should consult a doctor.

Examination of patients suspected of having certain disorders in the salivary gland begins with examination and palpation. Additional methods is probing (detects the presence of narrowing of the outflow tract), sialometry (measurement of the rate of saliva secretion) with microscopy of the resulting secretion.

imgblock-center-text" style="width: 500px;">

Treatment

Treatment pathological processes in the area of ​​the salivary glands is carried out depending on the etiology of the disease.

The most common of all diseases is sialadenitis. For treatment inflammatory process Conservative etiotropic treatment is usually used. It consists of prescribing antibiotics, antiviral, antifungal drugs. With the development of an extensive purulent process, the gland cavity is opened and drained.

Important! After surgical treatment a scar remains on the skin in the access area (in the treatment of mumps and sialosubmandibulitis). After surgery, the salivary gland is completely restored after some time.

Surgical treatment is also used when sialolithiasis occurs.

Oncological processes in the glandulae salivariae area are treated combined methods. More often combined surgical method(complete excision of the tumor and gland tissue) followed by radiation or chemotherapy.

Conclusion

The salivary glands play an important role in human life. And it is very important to prevent the development of pathological processes in them. Most in a simple way prevention is maintaining hygienic cleanliness of the oral cavity, avoiding smoking and alcohol. This will help maintain the full function of the glands for a long time.