The parotid gland complication is associated with which mandibular injection?

• A. Inferior alveolar nerve block
• B. Posterior superior alveolar injection
• C. Incisive nerve block
• D. Infraorbital nerve block

Answer: (A)

Parotid gland involvement happens when the injection target is near the ramus of the mandible because that area sits right next to the parotid gland, which also houses the facial nerve fibers inside it. The inferior alveolar nerve block is performed in the pterygomandibular space close to the ramus, so if the anesthetic spreads into the parotid gland or the needle trajectory is too posterior, it can affect the facial nerve within the gland. This can produce a temporary facial weakness on the same side as the injection.

The other mandible or maxilla injections are not in close anatomical relation to the parotid gland, so they are not typically associated with this complication.