What is the main salivary gland that is infected by the mumps virus?

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Multiple Choice

What is the main salivary gland that is infected by the mumps virus?

The main concept here is that mumps classically targets the parotid glands, the largest salivary glands located just in front of the ears. Infected by the mumps virus, these glands become inflamed, leading to the characteristic swelling of the cheeks and jaw known as parotitis. The parotid glands produce a serous, amylase-rich saliva and are more prominent in clinical presentation, so swelling there is the hallmark of the infection. While other salivary glands like the submandibular and sublingual glands can be involved or show some swelling, they are not the primary targets in mumps. Therefore, the best answer is the parotid gland.

The main concept here is that mumps classically targets the parotid glands, the largest salivary glands located just in front of the ears. Infected by the mumps virus, these glands become inflamed, leading to the characteristic swelling of the cheeks and jaw known as parotitis. The parotid glands produce a serous, amylase-rich saliva and are more prominent in clinical presentation, so swelling there is the hallmark of the infection. While other salivary glands like the submandibular and sublingual glands can be involved or show some swelling, they are not the primary targets in mumps. Therefore, the best answer is the parotid gland.

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