Figure 7a. Retromandibular approach. (a) CT scan shows a right parapharyngeal mass (M). Note the presence of the external carotid artery and retromandibular vein (arrow) in the anterior portion of the parotid gland (P). The carotid sheath vessels are located posterior to the styloid process (arrowhead). (b) CT scan shows a biopsy needle (solid arrow) inserted through the parotid gland (P) posterior to the vessels (open arrow). The needle passes anterior to the styloid process (arrowhead) and into the mass (M).