An unusually located human accessory parotid gland: a case report

ABSTRACT

The parotid gland is one of the most important major salivary gland in human beings. Often a small detached accessory gland lying away from the main parotid duct, known as the accessory parotid gland (APG) may be found in individuals. In the present work, an interesting case of APG in a 54 year old male cadaver, is being reported. This APG was located below the main parotid duct and related to the buccal branch of the facial nerve on its surface. The five to six ductules connected the gland to the main parotid duct. The triangular shaped APG was located at a distance of 2.9 cm from the angle of the mouth. It should be pointed out that the APG may be related to congenital developmental anomalies and may also be a site of tumors, and that anatomical knowledge of the APG may be important for performing sialographic studies and surgeries on the face.