Ectopic salivary gland tissue which is located in sites other than the normal location is variously described as aberrant, accessory, ectopic, heterotopic or salivary gland choristoma.[1][2]
Accessory salivary glands
An accessory salivary gland is ectopic salivary gland tissue with a salivary gland duct system.[3] The most common location of accessory salivary gland tissue is an extra major salivary gland in front of the parotid gland. It is typically about 3 cm or less in size, and drains into the parotid duct via a single tributary.[3] Accessory parotid tissue is found in 21-56% of adults.[3] Any disease process which affects the salivary glands, including cancer, may also occur within an accessory salivary gland tissue.