[The relevance of the chorda tympani to parotid gland function]

In 29 patients with unilateral lesions of the chorda tympani, the parotid reflex secretions of both sides were simultaneously collected and analyzed. The median value of the flow rate (ml/15 min) of the homolateral parotid gland was reduced to nearly one-half, as compared with the unaltered contralateral side. Concentrations of amylase and protein were not significantly different. Those secretory fibres which join the facial nerve in its intratemporal course seem to reach the parotid gland mainly via the chorda tympani and, to a lesser extent, via the facial nerve directly.