Final answer:
Surgery on the parotid glands has the risk of damaging the facial nerve.
Step-by-step explanation:
The parotid glands are the salivary glands located between the skin and the masseter muscle near the ears. When surgery is performed on the parotid glands, there is a risk of damaging the facial nerve. The facial nerve controls the muscles of the face and any damage to it can lead to facial paralysis or weakness.