Objective The histological changes of the parotid gland were investigated following release from duct ligation. Methods The right parotid ducts of Wistar rats were ligated for 7 days and then reopened. The specimens were harvested at days 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 14, and 21. The histological changes of the gland were investigated by hematoxylineosin( HE) staining and morphology measurement. Results The parotid gland atrophied significantly after duct ligation for 7 days. From day 1 after duct reopening, the acinar volume fraction continued to increase significantly; both the duct and mesenchymal volume fraction continued to decrease significantly(P0.05). Conclusion The atrophied parotid gland regenerated to normal after 7 days of duct ligation.
