科學家發現人體新器官 充當內置'減震器'

Humans have been studying the anatomy of our own bodies for thousands of years – but, to this day, scientists are still uncovering new secrets.

幾千年來，人類一直在研究自己的人體結構，但直到今天，科學家們仍在揭示新的奧祕。

A team of researchers has identified what's said to be a previously undiscovered organ, and may even be one of the largest in the body.

近日，一組研究人員發現了一個據稱此前未被發現的器官，它甚至可能是人體內最大的器官之一。

What was once thought to be dense, connective tissues running all throughout the body has now been found to be a network of fluid-filled compartments that may act as "shock absorbers."

科學家發現，此前曾一度被認爲遍佈全身的緻密的結締組織實際上是一個充滿液體的間質網絡，可能充當着人體的“減震器”。

The system drains into the lymphatic system, and is said to be the source of lymph, which is vital to the functioning of inflammation-causing immune cells.

該系統流入淋巴系統，且據稱是淋巴液的來源。淋巴液對可引發炎症的免疫細胞的作用發揮至關重要。

Not only could the finding reshape our understanding of the human body, but scientists say it could help to explain why cancer is more likely to spread when it invades certain areas.

科學家表示，上述發現不僅重塑了我們對人體的認知，還有助於解釋爲什麼癌細胞在侵襲人體某些特定區域後更易擴散。

This finding has potential to drive dramatic advances in medicine, including the possibility that the direct sampling of interstitial fluid may become a powerful diagnostic tool.

該發現或將推動醫學取得巨大進步，例如，對間質液的直接採樣可能成爲一種強大的診斷工具。