260 HEAD AND NECK 



the lower extremity of the gland descends for a short 

 distance beyond the angle of the mandible. The gland, 

 however, is more extensive than the space and passes for a 

 varying distance forwards beyond its anterior border over the 

 superficial surface of the masseter. 



In accordance with the position which it occupies the 

 gland may be described as possessing three surfaces, two 

 extremities, and four borders. The surfaces are superficial 

 or lateral, postero-medial, and antero-medial ; the extremities, 

 upper and lower ; the borders, anterior, posterior, medial, and 



Anterior border of upper extremity 



Posterior border g^ Surface in contact with external meatu? 



of upper end __ ,,^-m i_._^^^_ 



Anterior border 



Duct of parotid 

 _, Superficial surface 



--External jugular vein 

 Posterior border 



FIG. 107. Parotid Gland, lateral view. 



superior. The medial border separates the antero-medial 

 from the postero-medial surface. The anterior and posterior 

 borders separate the lateral surface from the antero-medial 

 and postero-medial surfaces, respectively. The upper border 

 intervenes between the upper surface and the other three 

 surfaces. 



The superficial surface is triangular in outline (Fig. 105). It 

 is covered by skin, superficial fascia, platysma and risorius, and 

 deep fascia. Embedded in it are a few superficial parotid 

 lymph glands, which receive lymph from the anterior part of 

 the scalp, the face above the level of the mouth, and from 

 the lateral surface of the auricle. Posteriorly, it is in 

 relation with the mastoid process and the anterior border of 



