title: [Anatomic, sialographic, histologic and ultrastructural studies of normal parotid gland of the miniature pig].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the morphology of normal parotid gland of the miniature pig (minipig).
  
  
  METHODS
  Anatomic, sialographic, histologic and ultrastructural studies of parotid glands were performed in 11 Chinese experimental minipigs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sialograms showed a long main duct and a triangular shape gland. All branching ducts extended from the inferior-posterior of the main duct. No necessary glands were found. Typical serous acini were found microscopically.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides basic structural information of the parotid gland of the minipig. It is considered that minipig is a useful animal model in the investigation of parotid gland diseases.
authors.affiliation: Salivary Gland Disease Centre, Beijing Hospital for Stomatology, Capital University of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100050, China.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012796:Sialography; D013552:Swine; D013556:Swine, Miniature