Bilateral variation of the parotid gland in cadaver: a case report.

ABSTRACT

Bilateral variation of the parotid gland is an anatomically rare entity. In this study, we present a 91-year-old female cadaver with aplasia of the parotid gland on the left side of the face and hypoplasia of the parotid gland on the right side of the face. The accessory parotid glands on both sides were of normal size, while bilateral submandibular glands were found to be larger than normal. The surgical anatomy of the parotid gland is very important because this region of the face is a complex structure intertwined with important vessels and nerves. Patients with aplasia, atresia, agenesis, or hypoplasia of the parotid gland should be diagnosed early and proper treatment must be planned. Consequently, this case was found to be remarkable in terms of the coexistence of parotid gland aplasia and hypoplasia.