| Synonyms: |
duct of parotid,
duct of parotid gland,
ductus parotideus,
ductus stenonianus,
excretory duct of parotid gland,
main duct of parotid gland,
main excretory duct of parotid gland,
parotid duct,
parotid excretory duct,
parotid gland duct,
Stenon duct,
stenonianus,
Stensen's duct,
Stensens's duct
|
| Definition: |
The main excretory tubular canal that connects the parotid gland and the buccal mucosa and secretes a serous saliva into the vestibule of the oral cavity; it arises from the anterior surface of the gland, traversing the masseter muscle; the duct then pierces the buccinator muscle, moving medially, and opens out into the oral cavity near the second upper molar; saliva produced by acinar secretory cells in the glandular body flows sequentially through the intercalated ducts, striated ducts, and excretory ducts. |