PAROTIDEOMASSETERIC Region
This region is bounded superiorly by arcus zygomaticus, inferiorly by basis mandibulae, posteriorly by porus acusti-cus externus and processus mastoideus, and anteriorly by the anterior margin of m. masseter. The parotid gland is lo-cated here. Enveloped in a sheath, the parotid gland has the shape of a trian-gular pyramid, with a base parallel to the skin surface and an apex that attaches to processus styloideus. The anterior end of the gland overlies m. masseter. Its posterior end reaches the anterior edge of m. sternocleidomastoideus. Its upper end comes close to arcus zygomaticus, and the lower end descends to the upper neck. The gland has a medial process, which comes in close proximity to the lateral pharyngeal wall, approaching major neurovascular structures found in the parapharyngeal space: a. carotis interna, v. jugularis interna, CNs IX, X, XI, and XII. The major bulk of the parotid gland occupies the fossa retromandibularis.
The facial n. passes through the parotid gland & gives rise to 5 terminal branches.
The parotid duct is found in the ant. part of the region under the messeteric fascia.
- Layers :
- 1. Skin
- 2. Superficial fascia contains :
- Adipose layer
- SMAS
- Sensory nerves (auricular n.)
- 3. Parotid gland (wrapped up in parotid fascia)
At the ant. margin of the parotid gland, its fascia transition into messeteric fascia.