The anatomical and functional characteristics of parotid fascia

Parotid superficial and profound fascias are considered to originate from a bifurcation of the profound fascia. Its relations with the facial nerve, the continuity with platysma, temporal and zygomatic fascias suggest it is related to a superficial fascial complex rather with a profound one. The aim of this study is to add clues which sustain the theory of parotid fascia origin from superficial fascia of the face. The study was conducted on 12 cephalic extremities, which were meticulously dissected in the "Ion Iancu" Anatomy Institute of "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi, Romania, and on a group of 10 patients admitted to the Clinic of Maxillofacial Surgery, "St. Spiridon" Emergency Clinical Hospital, Iasi, patients which were clinically and imagistically diagnosed [computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)] with parotid tumors and underwent surgical interventions for total or partial parotidectomy. On each stage of dissection mesoscopic images were acquired, examined and further processed to remark the regional stratigraphic differences. Surgical interventions have allowed us segmental anatomical studies, providing in vivo visualization of the fascial and muscular structures, evaluating the possibilities of dissociating the plans and appreciating their vasculature. The collected specimens were processed by paraffin technique and stained with H special techniques for muscular and connective tissue. The results are clearly showing the belonging of parotid fascia to the superficial fascia of face.