Lateral cervical anomalies and salivary heterotopia

Abstract
Most lateral cervical fistulas with an external opening in the suprasternal region originate from 2nd branchial arch remnants. Lateral cervical cysts occur higher in the neck and may develop either from the branchial apparatus or from glandular inclusions in cervical lymph nodes. An histological study revealed salivary tissue in 9 of 24 fistulas, 5 of these representing a congenital cervical salivary sinus, while only one of 17 cysts showed salivary heterotopia. Salivary tissue may occur more commonly in the lateral neck than is generally realized and lateral cervical cysts and fistulas probably differ in their histogenesis.

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