Parotid gland

Looks like

The largest salivary gland, in front of and below the ear, wrapped around the back of the jaw.

What it does

Makes watery saliva for chewing and swallowing; the facial nerve runs through it.

Keeping it well

Mumps swells it. A lump here is usually benign, but a lump with facial weakness needs urgent assessment.

Related conditions

• Bad breath (halitosis)
• Burning mouth syndrome
• Hand, foot and mouth disease
• Lichen planus
• Mouth ulcers (aphthous stomatitis)
• Mumps
• Pemphigus vulgaris
• Salivary gland stones
• Salivary gland tumours
• Sjögren's disease
• Stevens–Johnson syndrome / toxic epidermal necrolysis