A 53 year old male man cpmplains of pain around his cheek and neck. On examination there is pus pouring out from his Stenson’s duct. Which gland is involved?
**Core Concept**
The question is testing the identification of the parotid gland, a major salivary gland that is responsible for producing saliva. The Stenson's duct, also known as the parotid duct, is the primary excretory duct of the parotid gland.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The parotid gland is located in the preauricular area of the face, in front of the ear. The Stenson's duct emerges from the gland and opens into the oral cavity at the level of the second upper molar tooth. When the parotid gland becomes inflamed, it can cause pain and swelling in the cheek and neck area. In this case, the pus pouring out from the Stenson's duct is a sign of parotitis, an inflammation of the parotid gland.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** The submandibular gland is another major salivary gland that is located under the mandible (lower jawbone). It is not responsible for the Stenson's duct.
**Option B:** The sublingual gland is a minor salivary gland located under the tongue. It does not have a major excretory duct like the Stenson's duct.
**Option C:** The minor salivary glands are scattered throughout the oral cavity and do not have a single major excretory duct like the Stenson's duct.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
The parotid gland is often involved in conditions like mumps, a viral infection that causes parotitis. The Stenson's duct can also be a site for saliva production, but it is not the primary site for this function.
**Correct Answer: C. Minor salivary glands are scattered throughout the oral cavity and do not have a single major excretory duct like the Stenson's duct.