parotid gland
1
5.7
- noun
- /pəˈrɒtɪd ɡlænd/
- Specialized
:
glándula parótida
- When a person is awake, the parotid glands secrete up to 50% of the saliva output.
- tumor of the parotid gland
- carcinoma of the parotid gland
- lobe of the parotid gland
Examples
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A 48-year-old woman came to us with a right parotid gland swelling that was causing her discomfort.
Academic text (2001) -
The deep lobe of the parotid gland was completely excised medial to the facial nerve.
Academic text (2006) -
The second most common presenting sign was a mass located in the parotid gland.
Academic text (2002) -
Although these tumors can occur at any site, their presence in the parotid gland is very unusual.
Academic text (2001) -
His facial nerve was intact, and no new masses were observed in the parotid gland or neck.
Academic text (2006) -
The course of acinic cell carcinoma of the parotid gland following surgical and nonsurgical interventions is variable.
Academic text (2005) -
When she ate her favorite dish, her parotid gland worked hard to produce saliva.
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The doctor confirmed that the swelling was located in the parotid gland.
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During the examination, they found that the parotid gland was functioning normally.
Synonyms
3
4.0
A small organ in the mouth that makes saliva to help break down food
Surface Forms
Morphology
The compound is transparently built from 'parotid' (relating to the salivary gland near the ear) + 'gland' (an organ that releases fluids), so a learner who knows both constituents can infer it refers to the salivary gland by the ear. Although it is a technical anatomical term, the adjective+noun composition is predictable and cross-linguistically common, making the meaning accessible to learners who know the parts.
Etymology
Parotid gland takes its name from Greek: para- meaning 'beside' and ot- meaning 'ear', because this large gland sits just in front of the ear and makes much of the saliva when we eat.