Medical researchers have made a surprise anatomical discovery, finding what looks to be a mysterious set of salivary glands hidden inside the human head – which somehow have been missed by scientists for centuries up until now.

This “unknown entity” was identified by accident by doctors in the Netherlands, who were examining prostate cancer patients with an advanced type of scan called PSMA PET/CT. When paired with injections of radioactive glucose, this diagnostic tool highlights tumours in the body.

In this case, however, it showed up something else entirely, nestled in the rear of the nasopharynx, and quite the long-time lurker.

……………………………………………………………………….

Wow! Unexpected.
……………………………………………………………………….

For more, and a short video:

https://www.sciencealert.com/chance-discovery-reveals-mysterious-organ-lurking-in-human-head-missed-for-centuries

The complete scientific paper:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167814020308094

Michael V said:

Medical researchers have made a surprise anatomical discovery, finding what looks to be a mysterious set of salivary glands hidden inside the human head – which somehow have been missed by scientists for centuries up until now.

This “unknown entity” was identified by accident by doctors in the Netherlands, who were examining prostate cancer patients with an advanced type of scan called PSMA PET/CT. When paired with injections of radioactive glucose, this diagnostic tool highlights tumours in the body.

In this case, however, it showed up something else entirely, nestled in the rear of the nasopharynx, and quite the long-time lurker.

……………………………………………………………………….

Wow! Unexpected.
……………………………………………………………………….

For more, and a short video:

https://www.sciencealert.com/chance-discovery-reveals-mysterious-organ-lurking-in-human-head-missed-for-centuries

The complete scientific paper:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167814020308094

Interesting. So instead of only three, I have five?

Michael V said:

Medical researchers have made a surprise anatomical discovery, finding what looks to be a mysterious set of salivary glands hidden inside the human head – which somehow have been missed by scientists for centuries up until now.

That’s a relief.

I saw the headline, and thought some ENT surgeon might have had a few bits left over after an operation.

roughbarked said:

Interesting. So instead of only three, I have five?

Three sets of salivary glands is now four sets.

They are bilaterally paired.

captain_spalding said:

Michael V said:

Medical researchers have made a surprise anatomical discovery, finding what looks to be a mysterious set of salivary glands hidden inside the human head – which somehow have been missed by scientists for centuries up until now.

That’s a relief.

I saw the headline, and thought some ENT surgeon might have had a few bits left over after an operation.

Yair…

G’donya.

Michael V said:

captain_spalding said:

Michael V said:

Medical researchers have made a surprise anatomical discovery, finding what looks to be a mysterious set of salivary glands hidden inside the human head – which somehow have been missed by scientists for centuries up until now.

That’s a relief.

I saw the headline, and thought some ENT surgeon might have had a few bits left over after an operation.

Yair…

G’donya.

Just goes to show, science is an ongoing process.

Michael V said:

Medical researchers have made a surprise anatomical discovery, finding what looks to be a mysterious set of salivary glands hidden inside the human head – which somehow have been missed by scientists for centuries up until now.

This “unknown entity” was identified by accident by doctors in the Netherlands, who were examining prostate cancer patients with an advanced type of scan called PSMA PET/CT. When paired with injections of radioactive glucose, this diagnostic tool highlights tumours in the body.

In this case, however, it showed up something else entirely, nestled in the rear of the nasopharynx, and quite the long-time lurker.

……………………………………………………………………….

Wow! Unexpected.
……………………………………………………………………….

For more, and a short video:

https://www.sciencealert.com/chance-discovery-reveals-mysterious-organ-lurking-in-human-head-missed-for-centuries

The complete scientific paper:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167814020308094

Dig it.

captain_spalding said:

Michael V said:

captain_spalding said:

That’s a relief.

I saw the headline, and thought some ENT surgeon might have had a few bits left over after an operation.

Yair…

G’donya.

Just goes to show, science is an ongoing process.

Most definitely.

Makes you wonder how anyone discovered that the salivary glands of certain fruit flies contain giant chromosomes.

Michael V said:

captain_spalding said:

Michael V said:

Yair…

G’donya.

Just goes to show, science is an ongoing process.

Most definitely.

All science is wrong!!!!

sibeen said:

Michael V said:

captain_spalding said:

Just goes to show, science is an ongoing process.

Most definitely.

All science is wrong!!!!

Blast from the past…

Michael V said:

roughbarked said:

Interesting. So instead of only three, I have five?

Three sets of salivary glands is now four sets.

They are bilaterally paired.

Oh but one of my front pair is missing in action.

roughbarked said:

Michael V said:

roughbarked said:

Interesting. So instead of only three, I have five?

Three sets of salivary glands is now four sets.

They are bilaterally paired.

Oh but one of my front pair is missing in action.

I have one mia, too. As does Aviator Bill.

roughbarked said:

Michael V said:

roughbarked said:

Interesting. So instead of only three, I have five?

Three sets of salivary glands is now four sets.

They are bilaterally paired.

Oh but one of my front pair is missing in action.

I wondered if this also has something to do with taste since the majority of taste is via the nose anyway?

sibeen said:

Michael V said:

captain_spalding said:

Just goes to show, science is an ongoing process.

Most definitely.

All science is wrong!!!!

You only just discovered that?