Oct 21, 2020 10:57:00

'Unknown organ' is discovered from the back of the human throat

It has been reported that a previously unknown new organ has been discovered in the area from the human nose to the

pharynx . A small organ, only 3.9 cm, was discovered by chance while studying cancer cells.

The tubarial salivary glands: A potential new organ at risk for radiotherapy --ScienceDirect
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167814020308094

Cancer researchers discover new salivary gland
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-10-cancer-salivary-gland.html

The discovery was made by a research team of Utel Vogel and Mathis Falster of the Dutch Cancer Institute (NCI) in the Netherlands. The research team was conducting research on prostate cancer using a diagnostic imaging method called 'PSMA PET-CT' that detects prostate cancer. PSMA PET-CT is a diagnostic imaging method that detects by binding a radiotracer injected into a patient with PSMA (prostate-specific membrane antigen), which is a protein that is abundant in prostate cancer.

Since PSMA that binds to the tracer is abundant not only in prostate cancer cells but also in salivary gland tissue, PSMA PET-CT also detects many salivary glands. So far, more than 1000 invisible salivary glands have been scattered in the mucosal tissues of the throat and mouth, especially in three places: 'under the tongue,' 'behind the lower jaw,' and 'behind the cheeks.' I knew.

However, when the research team performed PSMA PET-CT, the two areas where salivary glands were concentrated were clearly displayed in pairs in the area from the nose to the pharynx. In the image below, the newly discovered salivary gland tissue is pointed to by the blue arrow.

Vogel said, 'Human has three large salivary glands, and more than 1000 invisible small salivary glands or mucosal lines are evenly spread on the mucosa, so a large pair in the nasopharynx. It was amazing when I discovered my salivary glands. '

Vogel and Falster performed PSMA PET-CT on 100 subjects, and the new salivary glands were found in all 100 subjects. The two named the newly discovered organ 'Tubarial Glands'.

The researchers say the discovery of tubular glands is important for future cancer treatments. Because the tubular glands secrete saliva, damage to the tubular glands from cancer radiation therapy can affect the patient's diet and conversation and impair the quality of life . 'The next step is to determine how the newly discovered tubular glands can be left in the optimal shape for the patient, which will reduce the side effects that the patient will have and treat them. You can improve the quality of life later. '