STENSEN DUCT Meaning and
Definition
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Stensen Duct, also known as the parotid duct or the duct of the parotid gland, is a term used in anatomy to describe a vital structure in the human body. This duct is named after the Danish anatomist Niels Stensen who first described it in the 17th century.
The Stensen Duct is a small, narrow tube located in the facial region that serves as an important passage for the secretion of saliva. Specifically, it is responsible for draining saliva produced by the parotid gland into the oral cavity. The parotid gland, one of the three major salivary glands, is located just in front of the ears on both sides of the face.
The Stensen Duct begins at the parotid gland and extends towards the oral cavity, passing through the cheek muscles and piercing the buccinator muscle. It opens into the mouth on the inner surface of the cheek, opposite the upper second molar tooth. This opening is known as the parotid papilla or the Stensen's papilla.
The primary function of the Stensen Duct is to transport saliva, which aids in the digestion of food and lubricates the oral cavity. It regulates the amount of saliva being released and facilitates its entry into the mouth during chewing and swallowing.
In summary, the Stensen Duct is a vital anatomical structure that connects the parotid gland to the oral cavity, allowing for the passage of saliva for various physiological processes.
Common Misspellings for STENSEN DUCT
- atensen duct
- ztensen duct
- xtensen duct
- dtensen duct
- etensen duct
- wtensen duct
- srensen duct
- sfensen duct
- sgensen duct
- syensen duct
- s6ensen duct
- s5ensen duct
- stwnsen duct
- stsnsen duct
- stdnsen duct
- strnsen duct
- st4nsen duct
- st3nsen duct
- stebsen duct
- stemsen duct
Etymology of STENSEN DUCT
The word "Stensen Duct" is named after the Danish anatomist Niels Stensen (also known as Nicolaus Steno). Niels Stensen was a prominent scientist, anatomist, and geologist in the 17th century. He is best known for his contribution in the field of anatomy, particularly in the study of the parotid salivary gland.
In 1660, Stensen made a significant discovery, describing the excretory duct of the parotid gland, which is the largest of the salivary glands located near the ear. This duct is responsible for carrying saliva from the parotid gland into the mouth. As a result of Stensen's discovery and description, the excretory duct of the parotid gland came to be known as "Stensen Duct" as a tribute to his contribution to the field of anatomy.
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