THE PERIORAL (JUXTAORAL) OF J. CHIVITZ ORGAN - THE UNSOLVED MYSTERY OF THE ANATOMY OF THE XXI CENTURY

The article presents the currently available survey material on the morphology, function and location of Chivitz juxtaoral organ. The findings supporting the concepts of JOO’s both secretory and mechanosensory functions, are examined. The analysis of the results of a number of studies is presented, which allows us to assert that the juxta-oral organ is not a rudimentary formation, it can be considered a normal anatomical structure, detected both in an adult and in fetuses. The location of the organ is typical near the duct of the parotid gland in the depths of the cheek tissues, medial and above the angle of the lower jaw. The presence of epithelial cell nests with glandular or squamous cell differentiation in the juxtaoral organ indicates its epithelial nature. However, immunohistochemistry with positive expression of S-100 protein, neuron-specific enolase, neural adhesion molecules and nerve growth factor receptors allows researchers to think about the neural origin of the organ. Scientists’ reflections on the function of the juxtaoral organ are also ambiguous. Data are presented in favor of both mechanoreceptor and secretory functions of the Chivitz juxtaoral organ. The discovery of Pacini’s little bodies in the juxtaoral organ suggests that the organ can perform chemosensory and barosensory functions. The high enzymatic activity of the parenchymal cells of juxtaoral organ on the example of the activity of alkaline phosphatase in the secretion of an organ, which is so unusual for the salivary glands, suggests that juxtaoral organ can be an endocrine gland and can a neuroendocrine function. Information is presented that, since juxtaoral organ is deeply immersed in soft tissues, it can mimic odontogenic tumors or perineural carcinoma invasion