The heart, kidneys, lungs, and the brain are some of the organs that facilitate the proper functioning of the human body. Until recently, the number of organs in the human body was 78. Two years ago, scientists accidentally discovered a new organ located in thethroat. They believe this discovery may help reduce the side effects of some cancer treatments.
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There’s one more
A team of researchers from the Netherlands Cancer Institute (NCI) disclosed in a paper published 2021, that the new salivary glands were discovered in the upper part of the throat behind the nose. The chance discovery was made while they were researching prostate cancer.
In the study published in the journal Radiotherapy and Oncology, scientists examined 100 patients to confirm the findings and reported that all the participants had the glands. Upon dissection of the nasopharynx region of two cadavers (dead bodies) revealed the same results. Wouter Vogel is the study author and radiation oncologist explained:
As far as we knew, the only salivary or mucous glands in the nasopharynx are microscopically small, and up to 1000 are evenly spread out throughout the mucosa. So, imagine our surprise when we found these.
What does this mean?
Prior to this discovery, experts believed the human body only had three salivary glands, located under the jaw behind the cheek. The scientists believe the glands could result in complications for patients undergoing radiation, so the discovery could help oncologists avoid this area to prevent potential complications. Dr. Vogel explained:
Radiation therapy can damage the salivary glands, which may lead to complications. Patients may have trouble eating, swallowing, or speaking, which can be a real burden. For most patients, it should technically be possible to avoid delivering radiation to this newly discovered location of the salivary gland system in the same way we try to spare known glands.
Sources used:
CTV News: Scientists accidentally discover new organ in the human throat
IFL Science: Scientists Accidentally Discover New Organ Inside The Human Head
