Embryological basis of bilateral double parotid ducts: a rare anatomical variation

Rajesh B. ASTIK, Urvi H. DAVE

Abstract

The secretion of the parotid gland reaches the oral cavity through single parotid duct (Stensen’s duct). During routine dissection in the Department of Anatomy, we found double parotid ducts bilaterally in a 50-year-old male cadaver of Asian origin. On both sides the two ducts fused at the anterior border of the masseter muscle to form one duct, which opens in the oral cavity opposite the crown of upper second molar tooth. Microscopic study of parotid ducts on both sides and measurement of diameters of superior and inferior ducts on both sides revealed both ducts were main parotid ducts. Variation in branching morphogenesis of the parotid duct should be sought on the basis of its development. The operating surgeon should be familiar with such variation during surgery on parotid gland to avoid injury to buccal branch of the facial nerve or to the main parotid duct.