In bulimia nervosa, which salivary gland is typically swollen?

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Multiple Choice

In bulimia nervosa, which salivary gland is typically swollen?

Explanation:
Repeated vomiting in bulimia stimulates the parotid glands, causing them to enlarge. The parotid glands are the largest salivary glands and are closely involved in the reflexes that drive saliva production during vomiting, so chronic irritation leads to sialadenosis and bilateral swelling near the jaw, often visible in front of the ears. This pattern of parotid enlargement is classic for bulimia. Other glands aren’t typically associated with bulimia in this way: submandibular and sublingual glands can swell in various conditions, but they’re not the hallmark finding here, and the thyroid gland would present as a neck mass rather than cheek/jaw swelling.

Repeated vomiting in bulimia stimulates the parotid glands, causing them to enlarge. The parotid glands are the largest salivary glands and are closely involved in the reflexes that drive saliva production during vomiting, so chronic irritation leads to sialadenosis and bilateral swelling near the jaw, often visible in front of the ears. This pattern of parotid enlargement is classic for bulimia.

Other glands aren’t typically associated with bulimia in this way: submandibular and sublingual glands can swell in various conditions, but they’re not the hallmark finding here, and the thyroid gland would present as a neck mass rather than cheek/jaw swelling.

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