Parotid Duct Course — MFDS Part 1 MCQ

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ModerateAnatomy (Head & Neck)Parotid Duct CourseMFDS Part 1

Immediately before opening on the parotid papilla opposite the maxillary second molar, the parotid duct pierces which muscle?

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Correct answer: C — Buccinator

The correct answer is C, buccinator. The parotid duct crosses the masseter, turns medially and pierces the buccinator before opening on the parotid papilla in the buccal mucosa, usually opposite the maxillary second molar. The superior and middle pharyngeal constrictors form part of the circular muscular wall of the pharynx and are not traversed by the duct. Palatopharyngeus and salpingopharyngeus are longitudinal pharyngeal muscles associated with elevation of the pharynx during swallowing; neither lies in the terminal course of the parotid duct.

Reference: Iwanaga J et al. Identification of a deepest oblique layer within the layered architecture of the buccinator muscle at the parotid duct penetration site. Scientific Reports. 2026;16:4463. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41491248/