Visceral systems
Parotid gland
Glandula parotidea
- System
- Visceral systems
- Side
- Left and right
- Part of
- Major salivary glands
DescriptionUnreviewed
The parotid gland is a major salivary gland in many animals.
In humans, the two parotid glands are present on either side of the mouth and in front of both ears.
They are the largest of the salivary glands.
Each parotid is wrapped around the mandibular ramus, and secretes serous saliva through the parotid duct into the mouth, to facilitate mastication and swallowing and to begin the digestion of starches.
There are also two other types of salivary glands; they are submandibular and sublingual glands.
Sometimes accessory parotid glands are found close to the main parotid glands.
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Source: Wikipedia · Text licence: CC BY-SA 3.0 · This text comes from the source data and has not been reviewed by a person yet.
Names
- Latin
- Glandula parotidea
- English
- Parotid gland
- French
- Glande parotide
- Spanish
- Glándula parótida
- Portuguese
- Glândula parótida