part of part of in_lateral_side_of develops_from serous gland cheek lower jaw region major salivary gland parotid gland A mammalian salivary gland located caudal to the ear. [Bemis_WE, Functional_Anatomy_of_the_Vertebrates:_An_Evolutionary_Perspective, Glossary_G-22, Grande_L, Liem_KF, Third_Edition_(2001)_Orlando_Fla.:_Harcourt_College_Publishers, Walker_WF][VHOG] AAO:0010095 BTO:0001004 CALOHA:TS-0748 EFO:0002558 EMAPA:18537 EV:0100060 FMA:59790 GAID:938 MA:0001585 MESH:D010306 OpenCyc:Mx4rvqwyg5wpEbGdrcN5Y29ycA The most common oral glands in mammals are the salivary glands. There are usually three primary pairs of salivary glands, named for their approximate positions: mandibular (submandibular or submaxillary), sublingual, and parotid.[well established][VHOG] The mouse parotid, exorbital lacrimal gland and exocrine pancreas have similar histological appearances[ISBN10:0123813611] The parotid gland is the largest of the salivary glands. It is found wrapped around the mandibular ramus, and it secretes saliva through Stensen's duct into the oral cavity, to facilitate mastication and swallowing. [WP,unvetted]. UBERON:0001831 UMLS:C0030580 VHOG:0000308 galen:ParotidGland glandula parotidea parotid uberon endoderm-derived structure parotid gland primordium structure with developmental contribution from neural crest buccal salivary gland