It just sounds crazy: Researchers from the Netherlands discovered a previously unknown organ in the middle of our head.
An amazing find.
In addition to the skeleton and muscles, humans have numerous organs.
Dutch researchers have now discovered a new organ in the middle of the head.
A chance find that surprises the professional world.
For some patients it is good news.
Amsterdam - Unexpectedly, Dutch scientists came across previously unknown organs in the human head.
The
researchers discovered salivary glands in the
nasopharynx
(Greek for nasopharynx).
These salivary glands do not appear
in the
anatomy books
.
Apparently no one knew of its existence.
New organ in the middle of the head - The human body still has secrets
So far the world of medicine has agreed: Humans have three salivary glands in their mouth: one near the ears, one under the jaw and one under the tongue.
Now, according to a study published in the journal
Radiotherapy and Oncology
,
there should be another pair
at the back of the nasopharynx.
Where the throat meets the nasopharynx.
The research team of radiation oncologist Wouter Vogel and the oral and maxillofacial surgeon Matthijs Valstar were apparently stunned by their find themselves.
"People have three sets of large salivary glands, but not there," Vogel co-authored the study in a press release from the
Netherlands Cancer Institute
.
“As far as we knew, the only salivary or mucous glands in the nasopharynx are microscopic and up to 1000 evenly distributed over the mucous membrane.
So imagine our surprise when we found this. "
Researcher amazed at finding in the head
All an absolute coincidence.
The two scientists studied a new type of scan that is used on patients with prostate cancer.
In 100 patient scans, the tissue of the organs was clearly revealed.
"We call them tubar glands, based on their anatomical location," says Valstar.
Researchers at the @NKI_nl have discovered a new location of the salivary glands.
This is potentially great news for patients with head and neck tumors: radiation oncologists will now be able to circumvent this area to avoid potential complications ➡️ https://t.co/LP9QZsZVlm pic.twitter.com/nLpeAp6vVK
- Neth.
Cancer Inst. (@NKI_nl) October 18, 2020
Salivary glands in the nasopharynx - This is why the discovery is so significant
The fourth pair of salivary glands is very relevant, according to the researchers.
"Radiation therapy can damage the salivary glands, which can lead to complications," explains radiation therapist Vogel.
“Patients can have problems eating, swallowing or speaking, which can be a real burden.” In the future, cancer patients should also be able to protect this newly discovered area of the salivary gland, like the already known glands.
Finding out is the next step.
(ml)
Irish researchers discovered a new organ in the human body in 2019.
It was hidden in our digestive system all along.
And: You need to know now about organ donation.