Parotid fascia | |
---|---|
Details | |
Identifiers | |
Latin | Fascia parotidea |
FMA | 76862 76862, 76862 |
Anatomical terminology |
The parotid fascia (or parotid capsule [1] ) is a tough [2] fascia enclosing the parotid gland. [1] [2] [3] It has a superficial layer and a deep layer. [1]
Current scientific knowledge regards the superficial layer to be continuous with the fascia of the platysma, and the deep layer to be derived from the deep cervical fascia. [1]
Previously, both layers were thought to derive from the deep cervical fascia which was thought to form the parotid fascia by extending superior-ward and splitting into the superficial layer and deep layer. The superficial layer was traditionally described as attaching superiorly to the zygomatic process of the temporal bone, the cartilaginous portion of the external acoustic meatus, and the mastoid process of the temporal bone; the deep layer was described as attaching superiorly to the mandible, and the tympanic plate, styloid process and mastoid process of the temporal bone. [1]
The parotid fascia reduces in thickness anteroposteriorly; it is thick and fibrous anteriorly, while being thin, translucent and membranous posteriorly. [1]
The parotid fascia extends anteriorly over the masseteric fascia as a separate layer; the two fasciae are separated by a cellular layer enclosing the branches of the facial nerve (CN VII) and the parotid duct. [1]
The fascia issues many septae that passes among the lobules of glandular tissue. [4] [ better source needed ]
The parotid fascia is histologically atypical in that it contains muscles fibres parallel to those of the platysma, particularly in its inferior portion. [1]
The great auricular nerve provides sensory innervation to the parotid fascia. [5] : 334–335
The external carotid artery pierces the deep lamina of the parotid fascia to enter the parotid gland and divide into its terminal branches within its substance of the gland. [5] : 342
The risorius muscle arises from the parotid fascia. [5] : 352
Articles related to anatomy include:
The great auricular nerve is a cutaneous (sensory) nerve of the head. It originates from the second and third cervical (spinal) nerves (C2-C3) of the cervical plexus. It provides sensory innervation to the skin over the parotid gland and the mastoid process, parts of the outer ear, and to the parotid gland and its fascia.
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.
The external carotid artery is a major artery of the head and neck. It arises from the common carotid artery when it splits into the external and internal carotid artery. The external carotid artery supplies blood to the face and neck.
The internal carotid artery is an artery in the neck which supplies the anterior circulation of the brain.
The digastric muscle is a small muscle located under the jaw. The term "digastric muscle" refers to this specific muscle. However, other muscles that have two separate muscle bellies include the suspensory muscle of duodenum, omohyoid, occipitofrontalis.
The external jugular vein receives the greater part of the blood from the exterior of the cranium and the deep parts of the face, being formed by the junction of the posterior division of the retromandibular vein with the posterior auricular vein.
The auriculotemporal nerve is a branch of the mandibular nerve (CN V3) that runs with the superficial temporal artery and vein, and provides sensory innervation to various regions on the side of the head.
The platysma muscle is a superficial muscle of the human neck that overlaps the sternocleidomastoid. It covers the anterior surface of the neck superficially. When it contracts, it produces a slight wrinkling of the neck, and a "bowstring" effect on either side of the neck.
The facial artery is a branch of the external carotid artery that supplies structures of the superficial face.
In human anatomy, the superficial temporal artery is a major artery of the head. It arises from the external carotid artery when it splits into the superficial temporal artery and maxillary artery.
The occipital artery arises from the external carotid artery opposite the facial artery. Its path is below the posterior belly of digastric to the occipital region. This artery supplies blood to the back of the scalp and sternocleidomastoid muscles, and deep muscles in the back and neck.
The squamous part of temporal bone, or temporal squama, forms the front and upper part of the temporal bone, and is scale-like, thin, and translucent.
The deep cervical fascia lies under cover of the platysma, and invests the muscles of the neck; it also forms sheaths for the carotid vessels, and for the structures situated in front of the vertebral column. Its attachment to the hyoid bone prevents the formation of a dewlap.
The submandibular triangle corresponds to the region of the neck immediately beneath the body of the mandible.
The investing layer of deep cervical fascia is the most superficial part of the deep cervical fascia, and encloses the whole neck.
The lumbar fascia is the lumbar portion of the thoracolumbar fascia. It consists of three fascial layers - posterior, middle, and anterior - that enclose two muscular compartments. The anterior and middle layers occur only in the lumbar region, whereas the posterior layer extends superiorly to the inferior part of the neck, and the inferiorly to the dorsal surface of the sacrum. The quadratus lumborum is contained in the anterior muscular compartment, and the erector spinae in the posterior compartment. Psoas major lies anterior to the anterior layer. Various superficial muscles of the posterior thorax and abdomen arise from the posterior layer - namely the latissimus dorsi, and serratus posterior inferior.
The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to human anatomy:
The parapharyngeal space, is a potential space in the head and the neck. It has clinical importance in otolaryngology due to parapharyngeal space tumours and parapharyngeal abscess developing in this area. It is also a key anatomic landmark for localizing disease processes in the surrounding spaces of the neck; the direction of its displacement indirectly reflects the site of origin for masses or infection in adjacent areas, and consequently their appropriate differential diagnosis.
The submandibular space is a fascial space of the head and neck. It is a potential space, and is paired on either side, located on the superficial surface of the mylohyoid muscle between the anterior and posterior bellies of the digastric muscle. The space corresponds to the anatomic region termed the submandibular triangle, part of the anterior triangle of the neck.