Morphology of the parotid gland and the parotid plexus was studied using 31 sides of 19 cadavers. Investigated points and the results were as follows:
1) External form of the parotid gland.
(i) The accessory parotid was observed in 4 cases (12.9%).
(ii) The anterior process was found in 7 cases (22.6%).
(iii) The superior margin of the gland was on the same level as the highest part of the mandibular head, or as the inferior half of the external acoustic meatus.
(iv) The lowest point of the gland was, either (1) lower than the mandibular angle (9 cases, 29.0%), or (2) the same level as the mandibular angle (15 cases, 48.4%), or (3) higher than the mandibular angle (7 cases, 22.6%).
(v) Anterior and posterior margins of the inferior border of the gland made either an acute angle (20 cases, 64.5%) or an obtuse angle (11 cases, 35.5%).
2) The maximum thickness of the parotid gland in the retromandibular fossa and the depth of a bifurcating point of the facial nerve into superior and inferior branches.
Under 60 years old, the parotid gland from younger subjects was thicker than that from the older the subjects. However, the thickness tends to increase again in the ages of 70 and 80 years.
The facial nerve stem bifurcates into the superior and inferior branches in the parotid gland. Therefore, the bifurcating point is deep when the gland is thick, and it becomes more superficial as the thickness decreases (or as age increases).
3) Morphology of the parotid plexus of the facial nerve in the parotid gland.
(i) Anastomoses among twigs of the superior division were observed in 30 cases (96.8%). In 12 cases (40.0%), the anastomotic depth ranged from the superficial layer to a depth of about 10mm. These anastomoses were found near the temporomandibular joint.
(ii) Anastomoses between the superior division and the facial nerve stem were found in 5 cases (16.1%).
(iii) Anastomoses among twigs in the inferior division were found in 28 cases (90.3%), and most of them were formed along the posterior margin of the mandibular ramus in the retromandibular fossa.
(iv) Anastomoses between the stem and the inferior division were observed in 21 cases (67.7%), They were found at various depths.
(v) Anastomoses between the superior and inferior divisions were observed in 20 cases (64.5%). They were found in a rather superficial area near the parotid duct.
4) Bifurcation patterns of the superior and inferior divisions of the facial nerve.
Bifurcation patterns were classified into 7 types. Type IV, which has one or two anastomoses between the inferior division and the facial nerve stem, was dominant and found in 9 cases (29.0%). Type I, simple bifurcation without any anastomosis, was rather rare and found in 3 cases (9.7%).
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