Ectopic salivary gland tissue with a salivary gland duct system
- Most commonly found in front of the parotid gland
- Typically 3cm or smaller in size
- Drains into the parotid duct via a single tributary
- Found in 21-56% of adults
Heterotopic salivary gland tissue without duct system
- Presence of salivary gland acini cells in abnormal locations
- Most common location is cervical lymph nodes
- Other reported sites include middle ear, parathyroid glands, thyroid gland, etc.
- Rare occurrence of salivary gland neoplasms within heterotopic tissue
Stafne defect (related condition)
References
- Barnes L (2008). Surgical pathology of the head and neck (3rd ed.). New York: Informa Healthcare. pp.477–478. ISBN9780849390234.
- Ghom AG; Ghom SA (1 July 2014). Textbook of Oral Medicine. JP Medical Ltd. p.605. ISBN978-93-5152-303-1.
- Witt RL (1 January 2011). Salivary Gland Diseases: Surgical and Medical Management. Thieme. pp.50–51. ISBN978-1-60406-537-4.
Ectopic salivary gland tissue which is located in sites other than the normal location is variously described as aberrant, accessory, ectopic, heterotopic or salivary gland choristoma.