Accidental Discovery Unveils Tubarial Salivary Glands, Previously Unknown Component of Human Anatomy

Despite centuries of anatomical exploration, scientists have found themselves taken aback by the unexpected revelation of a new organ in the human body. In 2020, researchers in the Netherlands inadvertently discovered the ‘tubarial salivary gland’ while conducting a study on prostate cancer, providing a surprising twist to our understanding of human anatomy.

The groundbreaking find occurred during a series of CT and PET scans on patients injected with radioactive glucose, illuminating tumours on the scans. Astonishingly, the scans revealed two areas in the head, just beneath the face, suggesting the presence of salivary glands that had gone unnoticed until now.

Located behind the nose, in the intricate intersection of the nasal cavity and throat, the tubarial salivary glands play a role in lubricating and moisturizing the throat’s region behind the nose and mouth. Dr Wouter Vogel, a radiation oncologist at the Netherlands Cancer Institute, highlighted the challenges in detecting these glands, emphasizing the need for ‘very sensitive imaging’ due to their less accessible location.

Surprisingly, the discovery holds potential significance for cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy, as complications related to the treatment might be connected to the tubarial salivary glands. Vogel expressed the importance of safeguarding these newly identified organs during radiotherapy to enhance the quality of life for individuals undergoing cancer treatment.

While the revelation of the tubarial salivary glands was accidental, scientists are now focused on understanding how to protect these organs during radiotherapy, aiming to prevent any inadvertent damage that could permanently affect the newfound component of the human body.