{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,21]],"date-time":"2026-05-21T05:07:02Z","timestamp":1779340022913,"version":"3.51.4"},"reference-count":39,"publisher":"Wiley","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,20]],"date-time":"2026-05-20T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1779235200000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,20]],"date-time":"2026-05-20T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1779235200000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"http:\/\/doi.wiley.com\/10.1002\/tdm_license_1.1"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["The Anatomical Record"],"abstract":"<jats:title>Abstract<\/jats:title>\n                  <jats:p>The tubarial glands have been described as a macroscopic bilateral glandular complex in the posterolateral nasopharynx near the torus tubarius and the pharyngeal opening of the Eustachian tube. Since their recognition on prostate\u2010specific membrane antigen\u2010based imaging, their anatomical classification has remained debated, with converging histologic and macroscopic data supporting a dense, organized glandular entity that shares multiple features with minor mucous salivary glands while demonstrating distinctive drainage patterns. In contrast to the expanding anatomical and structural literature, the neural control of these glands has not been directly investigated. No tubarial\u2010specific neural tracing studies, dedicated innervation immunophenotyping, or three\u2010dimensional nerve\u2013gland mapping investigations have been reported. Here, we develop an evidence\u2010graded, falsifiable model of tubarial gland innervation by integrating classical autonomic neuroanatomy, microanatomical organization of the pterygopalatine fossa, and contemporary structural observations. We hypothesize that tubarial secretion is regulated by parasympathetic secretomotor drive via the greater petrosal nerve and pterygopalatine ganglion, sympathetic modulation via the superior cervical ganglion through the deep petrosal\/vidian pathway, putative intrinsic mucosal microganglia within the nasopharyngeal lamina propria, and sensory\u2013autonomic coupling via trigeminal afferents. This framework provides concrete predictions for validation using human tissue immunophenotyping, three\u2010dimensional nerve mapping, and experimental tract\u2010tracing models. Clarifying these circuits may refine the interpretation of regional dysfunction and guide future translational studies.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1002\/ar.70228","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,21]],"date-time":"2026-05-21T04:16:07Z","timestamp":1779336967000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Innervation of the tubarial glands: A hypothesis\u2010driven anatomical review"],"prefix":"10.1002","author":[{"given":"Mugurel Constantin","family":"Rusu","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Division of Anatomy, Faculty of Dentistry Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy  Bucharest Romania"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-0918-741X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Ivan","family":"Varga","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Institute of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava  Bratislava Slovakia"},{"name":"Institute of Anatomy and Anthropology, Faculty of Medicine, Riga Stradins University  Riga Latvia"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0008-4655-4574","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"R\u0103zvan Costin","family":"Tudose","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Division of Anatomy, Faculty of Dentistry Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy  Bucharest Romania"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"311","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,20]]},"reference":[{"key":"e_1_2_13_2_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2520","DOI":"10.1007\/s12070-020-02237-6","article-title":"Comparison of diagnostic reliability of p63 and smooth muscle actin in salivary gland neoplasms","volume":"74","author":"Aswani E.","year":"2022","journal-title":"Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery"},{"key":"e_1_2_13_3_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/joa.70074"},{"key":"e_1_2_13_4_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"663","DOI":"10.1016\/j.joms.2023.02.004","article-title":"Tubarial salivary gland: The new member of nasopharynx","volume":"81","author":"Banik S.","year":"2023","journal-title":"Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery"},{"key":"e_1_2_13_5_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"6037","DOI":"10.5272\/jimab.2025311.6037","article-title":"Tubarial organ\u2010like glandular tissue: A comparative histology study in humans and canines","volume":"31","author":"Blagova B.","year":"2025","journal-title":"Journal of IMAB"},{"key":"e_1_2_13_6_1","article-title":"Myoepithelial cells (MEC) of the salivary glands in health and tumours","volume":"9","author":"Chitturi R. T.","year":"2015","journal-title":"Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research"},{"key":"e_1_2_13_7_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"107","DOI":"10.1515\/rjr-2015-0013","article-title":"Variations of sphenoid pneumatization: a CBCT study","volume":"5","author":"Craiu C.","year":"2015","journal-title":"Romanian Journal of Rhinology"},{"key":"e_1_2_13_8_1","volume-title":"Anatomie descriptive","author":"Cruveilhier J.","year":"1837"},{"key":"e_1_2_13_9_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1180","DOI":"10.1002\/ar.23569","article-title":"Overview of human salivary glands: Highlights of morphology and developing processes","volume":"300","author":"Paula F.","year":"2017","journal-title":"Anatomical Record (Hoboken)"},{"key":"e_1_2_13_10_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1425","DOI":"10.1002\/ar.25561","article-title":"A comprehensive analysis of the tubarial glands","volume":"308","author":"Ebrahim A.","year":"2025","journal-title":"Anatomical Record (Hoboken)"},{"key":"e_1_2_13_11_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"293","DOI":"10.1016\/j.archoralbio.2004.08.009","article-title":"Minor gland saliva flow rate and proteins in subjects with hyposalivation due to Sjogren's syndrome and radiation therapy","volume":"50","author":"Eliasson L.","year":"2005","journal-title":"Archives of Oral Biology"},{"key":"e_1_2_13_12_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"67","DOI":"10.1016\/j.oraloncology.2006.01.004","article-title":"Application of alpha\u2010smooth muscle actin and c\u2010kit in the differential diagnosis of adenoid cystic carcinoma from polymorphous low\u2010grade adenocarcinoma","volume":"43","author":"Epivatianos A.","year":"2007","journal-title":"Oral Oncology"},{"key":"e_1_2_13_13_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"57","DOI":"10.1177\/106689690501300108","article-title":"Myoepithelial cell markers in salivary gland neoplasms","volume":"13","author":"Furuse C.","year":"2005","journal-title":"International Journal of Surgical Pathology"},{"key":"e_1_2_13_14_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"373","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1365-2273.1986.tb00140.x","article-title":"Autonomic microganglia of the nasal mucosa and their relation to vasomotor rhinitis","volume":"11","author":"Galan Cortes J. G.","year":"1986","journal-title":"Clinical Otolaryngology and Allied Sciences"},{"key":"e_1_2_13_15_1","volume-title":"Handbuch des systematischen Anatomie des Menschen","author":"Henle J.","year":"1866"},{"key":"e_1_2_13_16_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"692","DOI":"10.1001\/archotol.1990.01870060050008","article-title":"The expression of alpha vascular smooth\u2010muscle actin in salivary gland tumors","volume":"116","author":"Hirano T.","year":"1990","journal-title":"Archives of Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery"},{"key":"e_1_2_13_17_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"90","DOI":"10.3109\/00016489309130249","article-title":"Autonomic innervations in the middle ear and pharynx","volume":"506","author":"Ito J.","year":"1993","journal-title":"Acta Oto\u2010Laryngologica Supplementum"},{"key":"e_1_2_13_18_1","first-page":"43","article-title":"Tubarial salivary glands on PSMA ligands based PET imaging and post (177)Lu PSMA therapy scan: reiterating its importance","volume":"12","author":"Kumar S. A.","year":"2024","journal-title":"Asia\u2010Oceania Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Biology"},{"key":"e_1_2_13_19_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"334","DOI":"10.1001\/jama.1936.02770310012005","article-title":"The autonomic nervous system in relation to Otolaryngology","volume":"107","author":"Kuntz A.","year":"1936","journal-title":"JAMA"},{"key":"e_1_2_13_20_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"50","DOI":"10.1016\/j.radonc.2022.05.010","article-title":"Further comments on the tubarial glands","volume":"172","author":"Li W.","year":"2022","journal-title":"Radiotherapy and Oncology"},{"key":"e_1_2_13_21_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"913","DOI":"10.1007\/s12149-024-01965-x","article-title":"Tubarial salivary glands show a low relative contribution to functional salivary gland tissue mass","volume":"38","author":"Ling S. 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H.","year":"2021","journal-title":"Radiotherapy and Oncology"},{"key":"e_1_2_13_39_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"292","DOI":"10.1016\/j.radonc.2020.09.034","article-title":"The tubarial salivary glands: A potential new organ at risk for radiotherapy","volume":"154","author":"Valstar M. H.","year":"2021","journal-title":"Radiotherapy and Oncology"},{"key":"e_1_2_13_40_1","volume-title":"StatPearls","author":"Zubair A.","year":"2025"}],"container-title":["The Anatomical Record"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1002\/ar.70228","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/full-xml\/10.1002\/ar.70228","content-type":"application\/xml","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1002\/ar.70228","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,21]],"date-time":"2026-05-21T04:16:19Z","timestamp":1779336979000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/10.1002\/ar.70228"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,20]]},"references-count":39,"alternative-id":["10.1002\/ar.70228"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/ar.70228","archive":["Portico"],"relation":{},"ISSN":["1932-8486","1932-8494"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1932-8486","type":"print"},{"value":"1932-8494","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,20]]},"assertion":[{"value":"2026-02-16","order":0,"name":"received","label":"Received","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}},{"value":"2026-05-06","order":2,"name":"accepted","label":"Accepted","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}},{"value":"2026-05-20","order":3,"name":"published","label":"Published","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}}],"article-number":"ar.70228"}}