RT Journal
A1 Adams WP, Donahoe PK
T1 SAlivary gland heterotopia in the lower part of the neck
JF Archives of Surgery
JO Archives of Surgery
YR 1979
FD January 1
VO 114
IS 1
SP 79
OP 81
DO 10.1001/archsurg.1979.01370250081017
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archsurg.1979.01370250081017
AB • Heterotopic salivary gland tissue in branchial cleft cysts in the upper part of the neck reputedly differentiates from the epithelial lining of the cyst. We describe a patient with salivary gland tissue found in the lower part of the neck. How salivary gland tissue finds its way to the lower neck is obscure. It is conceivable that the tissue originated from a precervical sinus or cervical vesicle, a distinct embryologic structure that forms in the lower part of the neck between the second branchial arch and the upper thoracic wall, but that normally disappears by the time of birth. The epithelial lining of the cervical vesicle is thought to be associated with the early development of the glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves. Salivary gland tissue may differentiate from the epithelial lining of cervical vesicles and nurture the growing nerves by nerve growth factor elaboration.(Arch Surg 114:79-81, 1979)