A New Hope For Cancer?

You may have heard the exciting news on the health circuit lately – scientists may have discovered a new organ: the interstitium (pronounced inter-stish-ium). There’s still debate as to whether it’s actually an organ or not, but here’s what you need to know about the latest addition to our anatomy:

- Julia Braybrook

What is it?

The interstitium is a fluid-filled, 3D network of collagen and elastin connective tissue that can be found throughout the body, in or near our lungs, skin, digestive tract and arteries. The study, published in the journal Scientific Reports, describes it as a “widespread, macroscopic, fluid-filled space within and between tissues”. If scientists decide that it is an organ, it’s set to be our biggest, comprising about 16 per cent of our body mass, with a total volume of around 10 litres. It’s thought to play a role in quite a few functions – for example, it’s reportedly the space where tattoo ink lives, where excess water is held in the body, and where the tip of the needle goes in acupuncture. It could also act as a shock absorber for parts of the body, say researchers.

Why all the buzz?