Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the distribution of parotid tumours within the gland in relation to the facial nerve branches. Documentation revealing such a relationship has not been reported previously.

Method: A prospective study involving 111 patients was carried out over a period of 18 years in a specialist otolaryngology unit within a district general hospital. The relationship of the facial nerve to the tumour was graded into six types. The grading system was then employed to categorize each case.

Results: More than two-thirds of the tumours were pleomorphic adenomas. The majority of these were located in the body and not in the tail of the parotid gland. In 50 per cent of these cases, the tumour was in close association with the two major divisions of the facial nerve. In the case of Warthin's tumours, 47 per cent were located in the tail, below the lower division of the facial nerve.