1) What are the newly discovered “Tubarial glands” (Torus tubarius)? Where are they
located in the body and what possible function do they serve? How were they actually
discovered and what technologies were used to confirm their location and anatomy? What
research team is credited for their discovery? Are these glands considered to be truly
functional or simply vestigial in nature?
2) Back in 2018, two separate groups of scientists made headlines by declaring that they had
discovered two “new” organs in the human body. The first was called the interstitium
and the second was dubbed the mesentery (yes, the same mesentery we considered in
Ch. 23). You’ll find dozens of links to various newspapers, magazines, and online news
outlets that announced these findings back in 2018 with a simple Google search. I’ve also
provided a link to their published findings if you want to review their research directly.
Take a moment and briefly describe the anatomy, location and general function of both
the interstitium and the mesentery. Why did the scientists behind each discovery
characterize these anatomical structures as true organs? As part of your answer, describe
what common features or characteristics are typically necessary to classify an organ as an
organ (i.e., what defines an organ?). Based on your review, do you think that the
interstitium and/or mesentery truly qualify as legitimate organs? Briefly explain your
logic.
Sample Solution