Tubarial salivary gland explained

The tubarial salivary glands, also known as the tubarial glands, are a pair of salivary glands found in humans between the nasal cavity and throat.

Description

The tubarial glands are found in the lateral walls of the nasopharynx overlying the torus tubarius. The tubarial salivary glands bind to PSMA,^[1] which is how they were discovered.

History

The glands were discovered by a group of Dutch scientists at the Netherlands Cancer Institute in September 2020 using PET/CT scans.^{[2] [3] [4] [5] [6]}

Significance

Most of the significance of the tubarial glands stems from their significance in radiotherapy. It is believed that avoiding the irradiation of the glands will prevent many of the side effects of radiotherapy, such as xerostomia.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Stephanie. Pappas. Scientists discover new organ in the throat. 2021-01-06. livescience.com. 20 October 2020. en.
2. Valstar . Matthijs H. . de Bakker . Bernadette S. . Steenbakkers . Roel J.H.M. . de Jong . Kees H. . Smit . Laura A. . Klein Nulent . Thomas J.W. . van Es . Robert J.J. . Hofland . Ingrid . de Keizer . Bart . Jasperse . Bas . Balm . Alfons J.M. . 2020 . The tubarial salivary glands: A potential new organ at risk for radiotherapy . Radiotherapy and Oncology . 154 . 292–298 . 10.1016/j.radonc.2020.09.034 . 32976871 . 0167-8140. free .
3. News: New pair of salivary glands in humans discovered. Aswathi. Pacha. October 22, 2020. The Hindu.
4. News: Scientists discover possible new organ in the human throat. Katie . Hunt . Kristen . Rogers. . October 21, 2020.
5. Web site: Scientists Just Discovered a Mysterious Organ Lurking in The Centre of The Human Head. Peter. Dockrill. ScienceAlert. 20 October 2020 .
6. Web site: Cancer researchers discover new salivary gland . October 16, 2020 . . Medical Xpress.