Subadult male red deer (Cervus elaphus). The preorbital gland is closed in this photograph.
Details
Artery
lacrimal artery
Nerve
lacrimal nerve, Zygomatic nerve via Communicating branch, greater petrosal nerve
Identifiers
Latin
glandula praeorbitalis
Anatomical terminology
[edit on Wikidata]
The preorbital gland is a paired exocrine gland found in many species of artiodactyls, which is homologous to the lacrimal gland found in humans. These glands are trenchlike slits of dark blue to black, nearly bare skin extending from the medial canthus of each eye. They are lined by a combination of sebaceous and sudoriferous glands, and they produce secretions which contain pheromones and other semiochemical compounds.[1] Ungulates frequently deposit these secretions on twigs and grass as a means of communication with other animals.[2][3]
The preorbital gland serves different roles in different species. Pheromone-containing secretions from the preorbital gland may serve to establish an animal's dominance (especially in preparation for breeding),[4] mark its territory, or simply to produce a pleasurable sensation to the animal.[5] Because of its critical role in scent marking, the preorbital gland is usually considered as a type of scent gland. A further function of these glands may be to produce antimicrobial compounds to fight against skin pathogens. Antimicrobial compounds found in these glands may be biosynthesized by the animal itself, or by microorganisms that live in these glands.[6]
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^Cite error: The named reference Albone1984 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Cite error: The named reference Schulz2005 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Cite error: The named reference Kile1977 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Cite error: The named reference deerglands was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Cite error: The named reference Wood2010 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
The preorbitalgland is a paired exocrine gland found in many species of artiodactyls, which is homologous to the lacrimal gland found in humans. These...
tarsal glands, etc., seen from the inner surface of the eyelids. Alveoli of lacrimal gland. Lacrimal apparatus Preorbitalgland Accessory lacrimal glands List...
rest of the year. The preorbitalgland secretion of muskoxen has a "light, sweetish, ethereal" odor. Analysis of preorbitalgland secretion extract showed...
communication. These glands include the sudoriferous glands (located on the forehead, between the antlers and eyes), the preorbitalglands (extending from...
groups. The animal marks its territory with sweet-and-sour-smelling preorbitalgland secretions, and males and females have separate territories that may...
nearly 0.4–0.8 hectares (0.0015–0.0031 sq mi) large and marked by preorbitalgland secretions. The blue duiker feeds on fallen fruits, foliage, flowers...
metatarsal and preorbitalglands. The volatile components of these glands were examined from a free-ranging female. The metatarsal gland contained 35 compounds:...
opened involuntarily as a result of facial muscle contractions, the preorbitalglands near the eyes can be voluntarily opened much wider and even everted...
deer, by lacking antlers and preorbitalglands also, possessing only a single pair of teats, a gallbladder, a caudal gland, a pair of canine tusks and—of...
has well-developed preorbitalglands (near the eyes) with stiff hairs. It also has well-developed metatarsal glands and pedal glands located in its hind...
0463 sq mi) in size; territories are marked with scent using preorbitalgland and interdigital gland secretions, faeces and urine. While other males are not...
oribi has at least six different, well-developed scent glands (such as the prominent preorbitalglands near the eyes). The body has several modifications...
12 years. Dibatag may maintain temporary territories demarcated by preorbitalgland secretions, urine or feces. Primarily browsers, the dibatag feed on...
duikers have well-developed preorbitalglands, which resemble slits under their eyes, or in the cases of blue duikers, pedal glands on their hooves. Males...
(1–2+1⁄2 sq mi) large, and might overlap. Those of males are scent-marked with preorbitalgland secretions and guarded - hence these may be termed territories. The...
include the brown forehead, short ears marked with black, prominent preorbitalglands near the eyes, and white lips and chin. The horns, short and spiky...
obvious facial (preorbital, in front of the eyes) scent glands used to mark territories or to attract females. Males have larger glands than females. The...
length and protrude from between the ears. Also on the head are large preorbitalglands. Pudus have small hooves, dewclaws, and short tails about 4.0 to 4...
foraging and detecting potential danger. Individuals communicate through preorbitalgland secretions and excrement. The leopard is the main predator of this...
hectares. They scent-mark the boundaries with secretions from their preorbitalglands. There may be an individual or communal dung pile on the periphery...
deer have preorbitalglands on the face just below the eyes and metatarsal glands located high on the side of the rear legs. Pedal glands are located...
can be reasonably assumed that entelodont jugals supported large preorbitalglands used for chemical communication signaling the intention to mate. Males...
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