Scientists have identified a previously unknown organ: a pair of salivary glands located in the upper throat.
This area of the nasopharynx, found behind the nose, was thought to contain only scattered microscopic salivary glands. However, the newly identified glands measure around 3.9 centimeters in length. Positioned above a cartilage structure called the torus tubarius, they were named tubal salivary glands. Researchers believe these glands help lubricate and moisten the upper throat behind the nose and mouth, according to findings published in Radiotherapy and Oncology.
A Serendipitous Discovery Through Cancer Research
The discovery happened by chance. A team at the Netherlands Cancer Institute, while using PET-CT PSMA scans to study prostate cancer, detected the glands. This imaging method, which involves injecting a tracer that binds to the protein PSMA (abundant in prostate cancer cells), is highly effective at spotting metastatic cancer. It also highlights salivary gland tissue, which is rich in PSMA.
Before this discovery, humans were known to have three major salivary glands—under the tongue, under the jaw, and at the back of the jaw—plus roughly a thousand tiny glands throughout the throat and mouth, said Wouter Vogel of the Netherlands Cancer Institute.
“So imagine our surprise when we discovered them,” Vogel said.
Confirming the Existence of the New Glands
To verify the finding, Vogel and his team analyzed scans from 100 patients (99 men, as the study focused on prostate cancer) and confirmed the presence of the glands in all cases. They also dissected the same region in two donated cadavers, revealing mucous gland tissue with ducts draining into the nasopharynx.
The discovery could have major implications for cancer treatment. Radiation therapy for head and neck cancers typically avoids salivary glands to prevent damage, since harm to these glands can affect quality of life.
“Patients may struggle with eating, swallowing, or speaking, which can become a serious issue,” Vogel explained.
Because the tubal salivary glands were previously unknown, they were not considered during radiation planning. A review of over 700 cancer patients treated at the University Medical Center Groningen showed that higher radiation doses to this area correlated with more reported side effects. This suggests the discovery could lead to improved treatment outcomes.
“Our next step is to determine how to best protect these new glands, and in which patients,” Vogel said. “If successful, this could reduce side effects and improve patients’ quality of life after treatment.”
Read the original article on: Universo Racionalista