Scent gland

Scent gland

Scent glands are found in the genital area of most mammals and in various other parts of the body, such as the underarms of humans and the preorbital glands of deer. They produce a semi-viscous fluid which contains pheromones. These odor-messengers indicate information such as status, territory marking, mood, and sexual power. The odor may be subliminal, not consciously detectable.

Scent glands include:
* apocrine glands, such as in the armpits of humans
* sebaceous glands, such as the tarsal glands of deer or cranial surface glands of the Red-bellied Lemur
* flank glands, such as in voles or shrews
* pockets, such as the preorbital gland
* anal scent glands, found in most carnivores


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Look at other dictionaries:

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  • scent gland — any gland that secretes a pheromone, such as occurs in many animal species during mating season …   Medical dictionary

  • scent gland — noun an animal gland that secretes an odorous pheromone or defensive substance …   English new terms dictionary

  • scent gland — any of various specialized skin glands, occurring in many kinds of animals, that emit an odor commonly functioning as a social or sexual signal or a defensive weapon. [1675 85] * * * …   Universalium

  • scent organ — noun 1. A scent gland 2. A smelling organ • • • Main Entry: ↑scent …   Useful english dictionary

  • scent — n. & v. n. 1 a distinctive, esp. pleasant, smell (the scent of hay). 2 a a scent trail left by an animal perceptible to hounds etc. b clues etc. that can be followed like a scent trail (lost the scent in Paris). c the power of detecting or… …   Useful english dictionary

  • scent bag — noun 1. : a small scented pad or bag; especially : sachet 2. : a scent gland when pouched in form; also : a sac receiving the secretion of a scent gland * * * scent bag noun 1. A …   Useful english dictionary

  • scent mark — Animal Behav. a distinctive odor that an animal deposits on the ground or other surface, as by urinating, which functions as an identifying signal to other animals of the species. * * * 1. n. (also scent marking) an odoriferous substance… …   Useful english dictionary

  • scent mark — noun (also scent marking) an odorous substance containing a pheromone that is deposited by a mammal from a scent gland or in the urine or faeces. verb (scent mark) (of a mammal) deposit a scent mark …   English new terms dictionary

  • scent — noun 1 pleasant smell ADJECTIVE ▪ heady, heavy, intoxicating, pungent, rich, sharp, strong ▪ the heavy scent of Indian cooking ▪ …   Collocations dictionary

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