Researchers from the Netherlands Cancer Institute have identified a previously unknown organ in the human body — a new salivary gland.
The Tubarial Salivary Gland
This surprising find was made accidentally during cancer research and has added a fourth major gland to the anatomy textbooks.
While investigating prostate cancer, the Dutch researchers used advanced CT and PET scans on patients injected with radioactive glucose, designed to make cancerous tumors glow due to the PSMA protein, which is commonly found in prostate cancer cells, according to Ziare.
Unexpectedly, the same protein illuminated additional areas in the human head, leading to the discovery of what they have named the "tubarial salivary gland."
All 100 Patients Had It
Located behind the nose where the nasal cavity meets the throat, this new gland likely plays a role in moistening the upper throat behind the nose and mouth. Further examination of 100 patients revealed that all of them possessed this newly identified gland.
Traditionally, human anatomy recognized three primary salivary glands:
the parotid glands near the ears, which are essential for chewing and swallowing
the submandibular glands under the jaw, which produce most of the mouth's saliva
and the sublingual glands beneath the tongue, aiding in food processing.
The discovery of this fourth gland adds a significant new chapter to our understanding of human anatomy.
Dr. Matthijs Valstar, a surgeon and researcher at the Netherlands Cancer Institute, expressed surprise at this revelation, noting that all modern anatomy textbooks only list three major salivary glands.
Dr. Yvonne Mowery, a radiation oncologist at Duke University, echoed this sentiment, stating her astonishment that a new structure could still be found in the 21st century.
