Anatomy of parotid gland and its secretory ducts in sheep

Abstract

Background:The parotid gland in sheep ends freely in front of the masseter muscle, and paracondylary section of occipital bone and extends deep until pterygoid extends of sphenoid bone and hyoid bone. The structure of salivary glands in mammals has been thoroughly studied histological and sialografic method. In this study, it was aimed to reveal the detailed anatomic features and race specific differences of the canal system of the parotid glands in Akkaraman sheep by using the corrosion cast technique.Materials and methods: 13 sheep parotid glands from 7 Akkaraman sheep were used in this study. Parotid glands were removed from their places with ducts. Measurements were made with a caliper from back to front, top to bottom and inside to outside. After dissection of the parotid glands, their volumes were measured according to the 'Archimedes principle'. Also, 13 sheep parotid glands were examined using the polyester resin method.Results: In the present study, our average metric results were: length of parotid duct was 10.92±1.027 cm, length of parotid gland was 5.87±1.04 cm, volume of parotid gland was 12.50±2.48 cm 3 , thickness of parotid gland was 0.75±0.36 cm and width of parotid gland was 4.07±0.43 cm. The average weight of the parotid gland of Akkaraman sheep was identified as 25.3 g. Accesoria parotid gland was not encountered in the current study. Conclusions:It was observed that polyester entered into the parotid duct and filled up until the acinus and made both acinus and secretion ducts well-examined ın this study. It was also observed that the parotid gland consisted of lobes and lobules. The average number of lobes was 12. The number of lobules in a lobe varied between 3-16, each lobe consists of an average of 9 lobules. It was found that each lobe has its own lobar duct.

First evaluation of an ovine training model for sialendoscopy

“…Uzun et al measured the length and course of Stenson's duct during dissection of 13 ovine parotid glands. They found an average length of 10.92 ± 1.02 cm 23 . We observed an average length of 9.5 cm as assessed by sialendoscopy.…”

“…It enters the oral cavity opposite the upper second molar tooth. 23 This course in the sheep is anatomically very similar to that in humans. However, it is narrower and the extraparenchymal part is significantly longer, with a maximal length of up to 9.5 cm compared to approximately 4–6 cm in humans.…”

“…The ovine parotid duct exits the gland at its ventral and rostral surface coursing along the ventral and rostral border of the masseter muscle, as it is located between the muscle and the facial vein. It enters the oral cavity opposite the upper second molar tooth 23 . This course in the sheep is anatomically very similar to that in humans.…”

“…They found an average length of 10.92 ± 1.02 cm. 23 We observed an average length of 9.5 cm as assessed by sialendoscopy. The difference between these measurements is mainly explained by the different assessment techniques (dissection vs. endoscopy) because, during dissection, parts of the intraglandular duct system were also measured.…”