During a parotidectomy, stones are blocking which duct?

During a parotidectomy, stones are blocking which duct?

• A. Wharton's duct
• B. Stensen's duct
• C. Sublingual duct
• D. Bartolini's duct

Answer: (B)

During a parotidectomy, stones typically block Stensen's duct, which is the duct associated with the parotid gland, the largest salivary gland in the human body. Stensen's duct runs from the parotid gland and opens into the oral cavity adjacent to the second upper molar tooth. When stones form in the salivary glands, they can obstruct the flow of saliva through this duct, leading to swelling, pain, and possible infection of the gland. Wharton's duct is associated with the submandibular gland, while the sublingual duct is connected to the sublingual gland, neither of which is relevant to the parotidectomy procedure. Bartolini's duct is also linked to the sublingual gland and plays a minor role in the drainage of saliva. Thus, the significant obstruction during a parotidectomy would be related specifically to Stensen's duct.

During a parotidectomy, stones typically block Stensen's duct, which is the duct associated with the parotid gland, the largest salivary gland in the human body. Stensen's duct runs from the parotid gland and opens into the oral cavity adjacent to the second upper molar tooth. When stones form in the salivary glands, they can obstruct the flow of saliva through this duct, leading to swelling, pain, and possible infection of the gland.

Wharton's duct is associated with the submandibular gland, while the sublingual duct is connected to the sublingual gland, neither of which is relevant to the parotidectomy procedure. Bartolini's duct is also linked to the sublingual gland and plays a minor role in the drainage of saliva. Thus, the significant obstruction during a parotidectomy would be related specifically to Stensen's duct.