Researchers from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bhopal have documented a distinct gland located behind the nose in the upper throat. The peer-reviewed study, published in the Journal of Anatomy, provides detailed anatomical and microscopic evidence of this structure. The finding adds clarity to a clinically important but complex region of the head and neck.
A six-member research team at AIIMS Bhopal, comprising Dr. Sunita Arvind Athavale, Dr. Sheetal Kotgirwar, Dr. Manal M. Khan, Dr. Anshul Rai, Dr. Deepti Joshi, and Dr. Rekha Lalwani, conducted a systematic anatomical investigation of the nasopharyngeal region. Their work describes a well-defined gland situated near the opening of the Eustachian tube in the dorsolateral wall of the nasopharynx.
Through careful dissection and histological analysis, the investigators confirmed that the structure possesses organized glandular tissue and a clear ductal pathway. The presence of a dedicated duct supports the interpretation that the structure functions as an independent gland rather than scattered minor salivary tissue.
According to the study, the gland lies deep to the mucosal lining of the tubal elevation, a ridge formed by the underlying cartilage of the Eustachian tube. Macroscopically, the structure appears elongated and triangular.
Microscopic examination revealed predominantly mucous acini arranged in a compound tubuloalveolar pattern. The tissue also showed myoepithelial cells and a developed duct system, features typically associated with secretory glands.1
"AIIMS doctors have also clearly demonstrated the duct emerging from this gland, about which no prior information was available. This discovery marks a new and important step in understanding the structure of the human body", the institute said in a statement.
The AIIMS team performed detailed cadaveric dissections on multiple head specimens. After identifying the structure macroscopically, they carried out histological validation using standard staining techniques to confirm glandular architecture.
Morphometric analysis showed the gland measured approximately 4 cm in average length and was present bilaterally in most specimens examined. The investigators also documented a previously undescribed drainage duct, strengthening anatomical characterization.
Better anatomical mapping of the nasopharynx has direct implications for head and neck surgery, endoscopic procedures, and radiation therapy planning. The region is frequently involved in the management of upper aerodigestive tract cancers.
Unrecognized glandular tissue in radiation fields may contribute to treatment-related side effects such as mucosal dryness or swallowing discomfort. Clear identification of normal structures helps clinicians avoid unnecessary damage during therapeutic interventions.
However, the current study focuses on structural description. The precise physiological role of the gland, including the nature and volume of its secretions, remains to be established.
The authors note that cadaver-based research has inherent limitations. Functional activity, neural supply, and real-time secretion patterns cannot be assessed in preserved specimens. In addition, demographic data of the cadavers were limited.
Future work using imaging studies in living individuals, along with biochemical analysis of secretions, will be necessary to determine the gland’s full clinical significance.
The AIIMS Bhopal study provides anatomical and microscopic evidence of a distinct gland in the nasopharynx with an identifiable duct system. The findings improve structural understanding of the upper throat region and may support more precise surgical and radiotherapy planning. Further in-vivo research is required to clarify the gland’s functional role in human physiology.
1. Athavale, Sunita A., Sheetal Kotgirwar, Manal M. Khan, Anshul Rai, Deepti Joshi, and Rekha Lalwani. 2025. “Anatomical Delineation of the Tubarial Gland Amidst Ongoing Debate: Macroscopic Study with Microscopic Validation and Novel Duct Discovery.” Journal of Anatomy, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1111/joa.70074.
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