A new human organ has been recently found by the Irish scientists that have existed in the digestive system for hundreds of years now. Termed as the ‘mesentery’, the organ links the intestine to the abdomen. For hundreds of years, it’s been seen a fragmented structure made up of numerous parts.
However, researchers led by J Calvin Coffey, professor at University of Limerick (Ireland), termed mesentery as an undivided structure. They also outlined proofs for categorizing the mesentery as an organ, in the paper published in the journal – The Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
Mesentery is a fold of the peritoneum that links stomach, small intestine, pancreas, spleen, and other human organs to the posterior wall of the abdomen. At first, the researchers found that the mesentery, that links the gut to the body, was one continuous organ.
“Up till then it was regarded as fragmented, present here, absent elsewhere and a very complex structure. The anatomic description that had been laid down over 100 years of anatomy was incorrect. This organ is far from fragmented and complex. It is simply one continuous structure,” explained Coffey as per a report in Firstpost.
Deep understanding and further technical study of the mesentery can help in less invasive surgeries, fewer complications, quicker patient recovery and lesser costs. “When we approach it like every other organ…we can categories abdominal disease in terms of this organ,” said Coffey.
As said by Coffey, mesenteric science is a separate area of medical study similarly as gastroenterology and others. “Up to now there was no such field as mesenteric science. Now we have established anatomy and the structure,” Coffey noted.
