Harderian gland
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This article includes a list of references, related reading or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (September 2011) |
Harderian gland is a gland found within the eye's orbit which occurs in vertebrates (reptiles, amphibians, birds and mammals) that possess a nictitating membrane.
The gland can be compound tubular or compound tubuloalveolar, and the fluid it secretes (mucous, serous or lipid) varies between different groups of animals. In some animals it acts as an accessory to the lacrimal gland, secreting fluid that eases movement of the nictitating membrane. Research has proposed that the gland has several other functions, including that of a photoprotective organ, a location of immune response, a source of thermoregulatory lipids, a source of pheromones, a site of osmoregulation, et al.
The Harderian gland was first described in 1694 by Swiss anatomist Johann Jacob Harder (1656–1711). He documented his findings in a paper titled "A new lachrymal gland with an excretory duct in red and fallow deer" (English translation).[cite this quote]
[edit] References
- Payne, AP (1994). "The harderian gland: A tercentennial review". Journal of anatomy 185 (1): 1–49. PMC 1166813. PMID 7559104. http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=1166813.
- Mondofacto Dictionary (definition of eponym)
[edit] External links
- Harderian Gland of Wistar Rats Revised by Edmyr Rosa dos Reis, et al.
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