AIIMS Bhopal confirms existence of debated ‘tubarial gland’

Bhopal: Doctors at AIIMS Bhopal have provided anatomical evidence supporting the existence of the debated "tubarial gland," a potential new salivary gland located near the nasopharynx. First proposed in 2020 by a Dutch team led by Dr Matthijs Valstar using PET/CT scans, the gland's existence was questioned by experts who suggested it might be clusters of minor mucosal glands. To clarify, AIIMS Bhopal researchers conducted direct dissections on 12 human cadavers, consistently identifying a discrete glandular mass near the torus tubarius.Histological analysis confirmed salivary gland tissue, distinct from scattered mucosal glands, and revealed a previously unknown duct system associated with the structure. This study provides the first gross anatomical evidence supporting the tubarial gland as a separate salivary gland. "While its precise physiological role remains to be determined, these findings provide a definitive anatomical framework that can guide future radiological, functional and clinical investigations," noted the lead investigator, Dr Sunita Arvind Athavale.
Other research team members include Dr Sheetal Kotgirwar, Dr Manal Khan, Dr Anshul Rai, Dr Deepti Joshi and Dr Rekha Lalwani. The findings, published in the Nov 2025 issue of the Journal of Anatomy, strengthen the case for recognizing the tubarial gland as an independent anatomical entity.