/data/photo/2020/10/21/5f902e5ad32df.jpg "Dutch Scientists Find a New Organ in the Human Head, What Is It? All pages")
KOMPAS.com – More than 160 years ago, the author Dr. Henry Gray compiled the most comprehensive text on the human body.
However, after dozens of revisions and new editions, doctors are still making invention about how the body is made up of many organs.
Most recently, a number scientist at the Dutch Cancer Institute claimed to have discovered a new organ in the throat while doing research on prostate cancer.
Previously experts thought there was only salivary gland microscopic in the nasopharyngeal area behind the nose.
However, as quoted from Skynews (21/10/2020), researchers discovered a new set of salivary glands about 1.5 inches (3.81 cm) when scanning prostate cancer cells using a combination CT scan and positron emission tomography (PET) scan called PSMA PET-CT. .
If the new organ is confirmed, it will be the first in about three centuries according to The Newyork Times (19/10/2020).
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Previously, in every modern anatomy book, only three main types of salivary glands were mentioned: one located near the ear, one under the jaw, and one under the tongue.
“Now, we think there is a fourth,” said Dr. Matthijs Valstar, a surgeon and researcher at the Dutch Cancer Institute.
Valstar said the salivary glands collectively secrete about a liter of saliva every day. These glands function to lubricate the mouth, making it easier to speak and swallow.
They are also tasked with bringing the delicious chemicals in food to the microscopic cells that can taste them.
The glands are said to be equipped with raw healing powers, fighting against germs and speeding up wound closure.
“It (the salivary glands) is responsible for many of the things that make you enjoy life,” he said.
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The study was small, and examined a limited patient population, Dr said. Valerie Fitzhugh, a pathologist at Rutgers University who was not involved in the research.
“But it looks like they might be interested in something. If it’s real, it could change the way we view disease in this region,” he said.
In a PET-CT PSMA scan, the doctor injects a radioactive “tracer” into the patient.
This tracer binds well to the PSMA protein, which is elevated in prostate cancer cells.
The PET-CT PSMA scan is also very good at detecting salivary gland tissue, which also has a high PSMA.
The findings are currently listed in Journal of Radiotherapy and Oncology in September 2020.
Researchers say the newly discovered glands will likely be used to lubricate the upper throat behind the nose and mouth.
They named it tubarial salivary glands because of its location on top of a cartilage called the torus tubarius.
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Examined 100 patients
The new organ discovered by researchers from the Netherlands-
To confirm their discovery, scientists, led by radiation oncologist Wouter Vogel, examined 100 of the patients and found that all had glands.
They also dissected the nasopharynx of the two bodies and got the same results.
The scientists’ findings may also help reduce the side effects of some cancer treatments, they said.
Doctors who use radiotherapy to treat head and neck cancer try to avoid the three main salivary glands because damaging them can make it difficult for patients to eat, speak, or swallow.
But without realizing the presence of the fourth gland, they are still radiating in the area, meaning the patient is still experiencing side effects.
“Our next step is to find the best way to save this new gland. If we can do this, patients may experience fewer side effects, which will benefit their overall quality of life after treatment,” said Dr Vogel.
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