Tubarial Salivary Glands: Potential new organ in the human throat

Tubarial Salivary Glands: Potential new organ in the human throat

Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III – Science and Technology 

In news

• Scientists in the Netherlands have discovered a potential new organ in the human throat. 
• The discovery was made while carrying out research on prostate cancer.
• Researchers at the Netherlands Cancer Institute have identified a set of salivary glands deep in the upper part of the throat and have named them “tubarial salivary glands”.
• The discovery may be important for cancer treatment. 
• Till now, this nasopharynx region (behind the nose) was thought to host only microscopic, diffuse, salivary glands.
• However, the newly discovered glands are about 1.5 inches (3.9 centimeters) in length on average. 
• Location: These are located over a piece of cartilage called the torus tubarius.
• Function: The glands probably lubricate and moisten the upper throat behind the nose and mouth.

Do you know? 

• Till now, there were three known large salivary glands in humans: one under the tongue, one under the jaw and one at the back of the jaw, behind the cheek.