Umbilical gland

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Umbilical gland of a Mongolian gerbil with two adenomas

The umbilical gland is a specific skin gland in racing rats in the area of ​​the navel . It is a special olfactory organ and has a chemotactic function. It consists of around 200 to 300 holocrine glands .

The gland tends to develop nodular changes, especially in older males. Both benign adenomas and malignant adenocarcinomas can occur. Surgical removal is recommended for such changes.

literature

  • Michael Fehr: Aspects of Pet Dermatology. In: Small Animal Practice. 37, 1992, pp. 393-401.
  • PE Meckley, GM Zwicker: Naturally occuring neoplasms in the Mongolian Gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus). In: Lab. Anim. Sci. 13, 1979, pp. 203-205.