Parotid Gland with Double Duct: An Anatomic Variation Description

• Published in: International journal of morphology Vol. 27; no. 1; pp. 129 - 132
• Main Authors: Fernandes, Atson Carlos de Souza, Lima, Rafael Guimarães, Rossi, Marcelle Alvarez, Aguiar, Márcio Cajazeira
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedad Chilena de Anatomía 01-03-2009
• Subjects: ANATOMY & MORPHOLOGY; Doble canal; Conducto de Stensen; Parotid gland; Anatomical variation; Variaciones; Parotid duct; Glándula parótida; Canal parotídeo; Stensen duct; Double duct
• ISSN: 0717-9502; 0717-9502
• DOI: 10.4067/S0717-95022009000100023

The parotid is the largest salivary gland in humans producing an essentially serous secretion, which normally reaches the oral cavity through a sole duct (the parotid duct) after the latter making its way through the buccinator muscle to reach the mucosa lining the mouth at the level of the cheek. The present study reports on a rare case of double parotid duct found during the dissection the right side of the face of a cadaver of a 46-year-old male individual. The superior (Dl) and inferior (D2) ducts were 26.49 mm and 37.25 mm long, respectively. Based on the diameter of both ducts (Dl and D2) taken in the posterior (3.05 mm and 2.84 mm, respectively) and mid (2.84 mm and 2.68 mm, respectively) thirds, as well as on the histological findings, both ducts were considered to be main parotid ducts. These two ducts merged at the level of the anterior third forming one sole opening into the oral cavity. The data hereby reported are relevant to the various clinical and surgical procedures involving the parotid gland.