Apr
I'm a bagpiper and I have recently been experiencing a strange phenomenon. When I need to blow hard due to a hard reed I'll feel every once in a while a sort of liquid squish behind my jaw and under my ear and afterwards it will be sore to touch that area. It happens a lot but when it does it will only happen once. I was thinking it might be my Parotid gland as that seems to be in that region. Also it seems like it started after getting my wisdom teeth taken out.
Answer:
ewwwwww Ian that's groooooss
Well, it looks like what you're experiencing is Pneumoparotitis. It's a form of parotitis, which is an inflammation of the parotid glands. In this case, the inflammation (or lack there of) and sensitivity is caused by air that is trapped inside the parotid gland. It is commonly seen in wind instrument players. Here's some scientific mumbo jumbo…
"Discussion
The pneumatic enlargement of the parotid gland is caused by air insufflation via the Stenson’s duct orifice into the more proximal ductal system and gland. The contracted buccinator muscle usually compresses the parotid duct and increases the duct angulation thus preventing air insufflation during surges in intra-oral pressure. The small diameter and slit like shape of the duct orifice covered by mucous membrane folds are additional natural protective mechanisms that prevent air insufflation(1). Pneumoparotitis is thus seen in conditions with a supra normal increase in intra-oral pressures; as in players of wind instruments and glass blowers (up to 140-150 mmHg)."
And there you have it!
Answer:
That happened to me when I first started the trumpet. Stopped after a few months.