Salivary Gland Enlargement
August 18th, 2017
Overview
The parotid, submandibular and sublingual salivary glands may become painfully or non-painfully enlarged as the result of several local or systemic disorders.
Feel For
- Enlargement of the salivary glands, which may be associated with tenderness or firmness. Look for the openings of the ducts in the oral cavity.
Location of Glands
- Parotid glands - preauricular, wrapped around the mandibular ramus.
- Submandibular glands - beneath the body of the mandible on each side
- Sublingual glands - beneath the tongue
Causes of Salivary Gland Enlargement
Painful Enlargement
- Ductal obstruction - sialolithiasis
- Infection - viral (mumps / HIV), bacterial (Staph aureus)
- Radiation induced sialadenitis
- Sjogren's syndrome
Painless Enlargement
- Tumour
- Sialosis - alcoholism, diabetes, malnutrition
- Pneumoparotid (especially in wind instrument players)
- Chronic bulimia nervosa
Firmness
- Tumour
- Sarcoidosis (parotid)
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