We thought we knew everything about the human body, but now human anatomy has revealed a new organ. It is not that it is new or that it has just appeared, it has been there all our lives, but only now have scientists paid attention to it. It is hidden behind the nose, in the upper part of the throat, and no one had been able to identify it until now. You may wonder how so many years of anatomical research have passed without anyone noticing it, we wonder the same, but this discovery was almost accidental. We tell you everything.
Found by chance
It all started during advanced medical studies in oncology patients, researchers were analyzing PET/CT scans, the ones used to locate tumors, when one area began to light up. At first they thought it was a rare and isolated case in that specific patient, but on closer inspection, dozens of patients showed the same “oddity”, so they began to take a closer look.
Was it hidden?
The organ is located right at the junction between the nasal cavity and the upper part of the throat, in a deep area that is very difficult to explore and very well protected by bone. Each structure measures about four centimeters, it is not small, but it was very well camouflaged, which is why it went unnoticed for centuries.
Was it really there?
Yes. Even though it did not appear in centuries of dissections or in textbooks, it was there, and this was confirmed on scans. It was a functional organ that we had never classified as such.
Welcome to the books, tubarial glands
These structures have been named tubarial salivary glands, and with them medicine adds a new member to the family of salivary glands.
And what are they for?
These glands help keep the upper part of the throat moist, something key for basic functions such as speaking, swallowing or breathing normally. When they fail, voice changes, dryness or difficulty swallowing appear, something that happens to us quite often, right?
Less damage in cancer patients
In radiotherapy treatments for head and neck cancer, doctors try to protect the salivary glands to avoid possible side effects. But these “new” glands were not being protected because no one knew they were there. Now, by including them in radiation plans, many patients suffer less when speaking and swallowing after each treatment.
Is it a big change?
Yes, it is not the discovery of fire, but for oncology patients it is a big change because protocols are already being updated. Anything that can offer these patients a better quality of life is a big change.
Does our body hide more?
We do not know, maybe it does. If these glands went unnoticed for centuries of research, what else might still be left to discover? With all current technology, one might think the human body is already fully mapped. And yet, no. There is still much to discover.
Finding a new organ seemed almost impossible, but here we are in 2025 discovering a hidden gland. It is not spectacular or essential for life, but if knowing what these tubarial glands are can improve the lives of many patients, they are more than welcome, right?