in the mouth, but there is more to the parotid gland and the effects it has on your health. Dr. Larian at the CENTER for Advanced Parotid & Facial Nerve Surgery located in Beverly Hills is a parotid gland expert who has pioneered minimally invasive procedures to treat his patients with salivary and parotid gland disorders.
The mouth has 3 major salivary glands: the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands. The parotid gland is located in front of and beneath each ear. Saliva from the parotid glands are drained into the mouth and upper cheek area via the Stensen’s duct. The submandibular glands are located towards the rear of the mouth just underneath the jaw. These glands produce the majority of the saliva, roughly about 70%. Saliva from the submandibular gland is drained at the floor of the mouth underneath the tongue through the submandibular duct (also known as the Wartin’s duct). The sublingual glands are located under the tongue and supply the floor of the mouth with saliva. There are also a number of very small saliva glands located within the parotid gland. These glands are about 1-2 mm in diameter and lubricate the mucosal surfaces and linings of the throat and mouth.
The salivary glands aid in the digestive process and keep the mouth healthy. Amylase, an enzyme found in saliva, initiates the digestive process by breaking down starches in the food. Saliva is also a lubricant to guide the food through the digestive tract. The mouth affects the health and functionality of other parts of our bodies, making parotid gland health very important. When the parotid or salivary glands do not function properly, a variety of problems also occur in other parts of the body.
The location of the parotid glands is in an extremely delicate part of the face; so many different factors need to be considered when diagnosing your condition and coming up with the appropriate treatment. A very significant part of the anatomy of the parotid gland is that the facial nerve goes through the gland. The facial nerve controls important facial movements, so patients that suffer from facial nerve paralysis are not able to utilize the nerve correctly. Dr. Larian not only pioneered the micro-parotidectomy, a minimally-invasive procedure to decrease recovery time and pain, but he also performs this surgery with world-renowned facial nerve expert, Dr. Azizzadeh. These two leading surgeons work as a team to protect the facial nerve while removing the parotid tumor and ensure the patient has the best possible results.
Contact us at our office today at 310-461-0300 to learn more about the parotid gland if you think your salivary glands are not properly functioning. Dr. Larian at the CENTER for Advanced Parotid & Facial Nerve Surgery is ready to assist you using the most advanced procedures along with an unparalleled level of care.
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