Parotitis in mumps is classically described as swelling near which region?

• A. The angle of the mandible
• B. The zygomatic arch
• C. The infraorbital margin
• D. The mastoid process

Answer: (A)

Parotitis from mumps involves the parotid gland, which sits over the angle of the mandible and anterior to the ear. When inflamed, the swelling is most noticeable in that region—the area near the jaw angle just in front of the ear. The other choices point to different facial landmarks: the zygomatic arch is higher on the cheek, the infraorbital margin is below the eye, and the mastoid process is behind the ear. These do not correspond to where the parotid gland sits, so they’re not the typical location of mumps-related swelling.