Scientists have accidentally discovered a brand new organ in the human body that has never been seen before

A team of scientists discovered a new organ in the human body while investigating something completely different.

The experts from the Netherlands were studying prostate cancer when they made a scientific breakthrough on the other side of the body.

It turns out that this recently discovered organ was right under our noses all along, or rather, right behind it.

The team of scientists worked at the Antoni van Leeuwenhoek and performed a series of CT and PET scans on patients who had received an injection of radioactive glucose.

They didn’t just do this for no reason, because the glucose would make the tumors glow on the scans and be easily detectable.

The new organ was only discovered in 2020 and has been right under our noses all along. (YouTube/Antoni Van Leeuwenhoek)

It works by binding to the protein PSMA, which is more commonly found in prostate cancer cells.

Fortunately, the PSMA protein is also very good for detecting salivary glands. And when we looked at the results, the experts noticed that a few spots in the human head also lit up.

This led them to expect that it would contain salivary glands, and it is believed that these specific glands are in place to lubricate your upper throat, behind your nose and mouth.

A little more searching revealed what the team called the “tubarial salivary gland,” which is located behind your nose, near the part where your nasal passage meets your throat.

It’s actually right behind your face and the scientists made sure they weren’t just lucky once by studying 100 patients.

They all had the ‘tubal salivary gland’, as did a few cadavers the team examined, so we were pretty sure that means we all have them.

This is where your salivary glands are located. (Netherlands Cancer Institute)

In a bit of a scientific coincidence when radiotherapy is performed on a patient’s head or neck, doctors try to avoid the salivary glands as much as possible, as they can become damaged, causing patients to have problems swallowing, eating or speaking.

On the other hand, that part of the body was irradiated before the discovery of the glands, which could have led to some unconscious side effects, such as a dry feeling in the mouth after the treatment.

The human body has three other major salivary glands, all located in the head, except one where the tubarial glands are found.

The parotid glands are the most important and provide the saliva that helps you chew and swallow your food.

Below the lower jaw are the submandibular glands, which are responsible for most of the saliva in your mouth. You can feel them just above your Adam’s apple and they are about two inches apart.

Last and perhaps least are the sublingual glands which are located under the tongue, they are just doing what they can to help.

Featured image credits: YouTube/Antoni Van Leeuwenhoek/Netherlands Cancer Institute

Topics: Health, Science, Technology