parotid gland

American  

[per-aht-id gland] / pərˈɑt ɪd ˌglænd /

noun

1. Anatomy. Also called parotid. a salivary gland situated at the base of each ear.

2. Zoology. a similar gland found in snakes, modified to produce secretions of saliva or venom.

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parotid gland British  

noun

1. a large salivary gland, in man situated in front of and below each ear

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parotid gland Scientific  

/ pə-rŏt′ĭd /

1. Either of the pair of salivary glands situated below and in front of each ear.

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Example Sentences

The positioning of the parotid gland was important as it was preventing the tumour from damaging facial tissue or harming important nearby structures, including the facial nerve.

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2025

The parasympathetic fibers of the glossopharyngeal nerve synapse in the otic ganglion, which projects to the parotid gland.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Vilanova, who was gouged in the eye by Mourinho after their Supercopa match at the start of the season, was back after recovering from surgery to remove a tumor on his parotid gland.

From New York Times • Dec. 11, 2011

Separately, researchers are also examining whether cell phone use increases the risk of tumors in the ear's acoustic nerve and the parotid gland, where saliva is produced.

From Salon • May 17, 2010

Soon a swelling of the parotid gland takes place, which is painful, and continues to increase for four or five days, sometimes making it difficult to swallow, or open the mouth.

From Burroughs' Encyclopaedia of Astounding Facts and Useful Information, 1889 by Burroughs, Barkham