[Unusual cysts in the orofacial region]

The authors present three cases of cystic formations in orofacial region and neck--a parathyroid cyst behind sternocleidomastoid, branchial cyst in preauricular region and papillary cystadenoma in heterotopic salivary tissue in the mandible. They are drawing attention to the possibility of tumorous growth in heterotopic salivary tissue and to the correct interpretation of the terms as heterotopy, ectopy, dystopy, hamartoma and choristoma.