Surgical removal of the parotid gland places which of the following structures at highest risk of injury ______________?
Show answer Hide answer
Answer: C. External carotid artery, auriculotemporal nerve, facial nerve
Explanation
Surgical removal of the parotid gland places the embedded facial nerve at extremely high risk of injury. The external carotid artery and auriculotemporal nerve also pass directly through or closely relate to the gland. Parotidectomy requires meticulous dissection to prevent permanent facial paralysis and severe vascular complications. The parotid gland is the largest salivary gland and is located superficially over the mandibular ramus. Several major neurovascular structures traverse the substance of the parotid gland from superficial to deep planes. The facial nerve divides into its five major terminal branches within the parenchyma of the parotid gland.
The hypoglossal nerve is located deeper in the neck and is not typically encountered during standard parotidectomies. The motor nerves to muscles of mastication branch from the mandibular nerve in the infratemporal fossa region. The lesser occipital and spinal accessory nerves are situated within the posterior triangle of the neck.
Related questions
Q1. Which cranial or cervical nerve runs in close company with the superior thyroid artery ?
Show answer Hide answer
Answer: A. External laryngeal
The external laryngeal nerve runs in close company with the superior thyroid artery as it descends. This close anatomical relationship places the nerve at risk during thyroid and parathyroid surgical procedures. The nerv...
Q2. The submandibular salivary gland is located topographically within____________?
Show answer Hide answer
Answer: A. Digastric triangle
The submandibular salivary gland is located topographically within the digastric triangle. This anatomical triangle is bounded by the anterior and posterior bellies. The gland rests securely against the mylohyoid muscle...
Q3. Secretomotor innervation directed to the parotid gland originates from______________?
Show answer Hide answer
Answer: B. Auriculotemporal nerve
Parasympathetic secretomotor fibers destined for the parotid gland reach their destination via the auriculotemporal nerve. These secretomotor pathways originate in the inferior salivatory nucleus within the brainstem reg...
Q4. The sphenopalatine (pterygopalatine) ganglion does not provide secretory or sensory fibers to_________________?
Show answer Hide answer
Answer: D. B & C
The pterygopalatine ganglion does not provide secretory or sensory fibers to the sublingual gland. It also lacks any connection to the ciliary ganglion which regulates intrinsic eye muscle functions. Secretory fibers for...
Q5. The suprasternal space contains all of the following structures except_____________?
Show answer Hide answer
Answer: D. External Jugular Vein
The external jugular vein is located superficially and avoids the suprasternal space. This vein courses superficial to the sternocleidomastoid muscle in the neck. It does not pass through the deep fascial compartment of...
Q6. Sympathetic neural drive to the heart is mediated via_______________?
Show answer Hide answer
Answer: B. T2 – T6
Sympathetic innervation to the human heart arises specifically from the upper thoracic spinal cord segments. Preganglionic sympathetic fibers emerge from spinal cord levels T1 through T6 to reach cardiac ganglia. Activat...