Parotid gland

Table of Contents:

1. What is the parotid gland?
2. What is its function?
3. Pathologies associated with the parotid gland
4. Treatment
5. Medical Specialist

What is the parotid gland?

The parotid gland is mainly a voluminous and bilateral salivary gland, that is, it is located on both sides of the face.

Its exact location is in the angle of the jaw at the front and under the ear. It is one of the glands responsible for producing most of the saliva in the body. It is the largest and most complex of the glandular glands and contains the paratoid lymph nodes. The facial nerve and the carotid artery pass through it, and the jugular arises from it.

Function of the parotid gland

The function of the parotid gland, like the rest of the salivary glands, is to produce saliva, which is then poured into the cavity.

The secretion of saliva helps to keep the mouth perfectly lubricated throughout the day, as well as to chew and swallow food more easily.

Saliva plays an important role in a person’s mouth as it lubricates and moistens the oral cavity, thus helping to maintain the oral cavity in good condition. Thus, and thanks to the function of the salivary glands, damage to the soft mucous membranes of the mouth is avoided, thus reducing the risk of suffering infections and lesions in the area.

At the same time, saliva is important for swallowing food, mixing with it and helping to digest it. Saliva is composed of a series of enzymes that help break down food into simple substances that are eventually absorbed by the body.

Location of the parotid gland, just above the jaw and below the ear.

Pathologies that can affect the parotid gland

There are several pathologies that can affect the parotid gland and the rest of the salivary glands. These pathologies are:

• Tumors: these are mostly benign tumors, and the most frequent is the pleomophilic adenoma. In some cases they are also malignant, in the form of carcinomas. It causes an obstruction of the salivary duct.
• Sjörgen’s syndrome: this is an immune disorder in which the salivary and lacrimal glands are destroyed.
• Mumps: also known as mumps, this is a disease that was once very prevalent but is becoming less and less common today, due to the triple viral vaccine, which eventually nullifies the virus responsible. In this case, mumps consists of an inflammation of the glands and surrounding tissues.
• Bacterial infections: poor oral hygiene can be the cause of an infection. Another cause is the obstruction of the salivary duct. When this occurs, it is often due to an internal crystallization of some of the components that make up saliva.
• Sialoliths in the salivary ducts: these are mineral deposits that accumulate in the salivary glands.
• Inflammations: some pathologies such as arthritis, diabetes or sarcoidosis can eventually affect the functioning of the parotid gland.

Treatment of parotid gland pathologies

• Tumors: the treatment of tumors varies depending on the type and size, as well as the stage of the tumor, general health, etc. Surgery is usually necessary, sometimes accompanied by radiotherapy.
  • Removing part of the gland
  • Removal of the salivary gland.
  • Removal of the lymph nodes in the neck.
  • Reconstructive surgery of the intervened area
• Sjörgen’s syndrome: the treatment consists in relieving the symptoms, with water, chewing gum, avoiding alcohol…
• Mumps: there is no specific treatment for mumps. In fact, as it is a viral problem, the use of antibiotics is not considered. Normally with a couple of weeks of rest the patient will be able to recover his usual rhythm of life.
• Bacterial infections: in most cases no treatment will be necessary, although sometimes antibiotics may be needed in case of fever or pus discharge. In cases of abscesses, surgery may be performed to drain or aspirate the abscess.
• Sialoliths in the salivary ducts: sialoliths are eliminated with water, massaging the area with heat… Sometimes surgery is necessary.

Which specialist treats parotid gland pathologies?

The specialist in charge of diagnosing and treating parotid gland problems is normally the maxillofacial surgeon or general surgeon. However, due to the complexity of the problems of the gland, different specialists may intervene, such as oncologists, radiation oncologists, internists…