Salivary gland tissue is predominantly localized at three main sites, i.e. parotid, submandibular and sublingual regions besides its ubiquitous presence in upper aero-digestive track as minor salivary glands. The probability of a given salivary tumor being malignant is maximum in sublingual gland followed by minor salivary, submandibular and least in parotid gland. Malignant salivary gland tumors are a broad group of diseases comprising of eight different histologic patterns and three different primary sites with important nerves around them responsible for aesthetics of face and important functions such as swallowing and taste. Presence of facial nerve in the substance of parotid gland makes its surgery difficult. Any trauma during surgery or invasion of the nerve by the tumor results in loss of important functions such as competence of oral and palpebral commissure. Submandibular gland has three important nerves close to it namely marginal mandibular, hypoglossal, and lingual nerve responsible for angle of mouth, movements of tongue and sensation of taste respectively. At times intraparotid lymph node enlargement may be mistaken for a parotid swelling and needs distinction.