parotid gland

American  

[per-aht-id gland] / pərˈɑt ɪd ˌglænd /

noun

1. Anatomy. Also called parotid. a salivary gland situated at the base of each ear.

2. Zoology. a similar gland found in snakes, modified to produce secretions of saliva or venom.

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parotid gland British  

noun

1. a large salivary gland, in man situated in front of and below each ear

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parotid gland Scientific  

/ pə-rŏt′ĭd /

1. Either of the pair of salivary glands situated below and in front of each ear.

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Example Sentences

She was told she required parotidectomy surgery which involved removing part of a major salivary gland in her cheek called the parotid gland.

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2025

Discuss how saliva produced by the parotid gland differs in action from saliva produced by the sublingual gland.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Vilanova, who was gouged in the eye by Mourinho after their Supercopa match at the start of the season, was back after recovering from surgery to remove a tumor on his parotid gland.

From New York Times • Dec. 11, 2011

Separately, researchers are also examining whether cell phone use increases the risk of tumors in the ear's acoustic nerve and the parotid gland, where saliva is produced.

From Salon • May 17, 2010

The mumps, inflammation of the "parotid" gland, is commonly ushered in with a slight feverish attack.

From Advice to a Mother on the Management of Her Children by Chavasse, Pye Henry