| Scent gland | |
|---|---|
 | |
 The arrow is pointing to the metatarsal gland of a Sika deer | |
| Details | |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | glandula odorifera |
| MeSH | D012543 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
Scent gland are exocrine glands found in most mammals. They produce semi-viscous secretions which contain pheromones and other semiochemical compounds. These odor-messengers indicate information such as status, territorial marking, mood, and sexual behaviour. The odor may be subliminal—not consciously detectable.[1][2] Though it is not their primary function, the salivary glands may also function as scent glands in some animals.
- ^ Albone, ES (1984). "Scent glands". Mammalian semiochemistry: the investigation of chemical signals between mammals. New York: John Wiley and Sons. pp. 74–134. ISBN 978-0471102533.
- ^ Burger, BV (2005). "Mammalian semiochemicals" (PDF). In Schulz, S (ed.). The chemistry of pheromones and other semiochemicals II. Topics in current chemistry. Vol. 240. Berlin: Springer-Verlag. pp. 231–78. doi:10.1007/b98318. ISBN 978-3-540-21308-6. ISSN 0340-1022.