title: [The mammalian Harderian gland (its structural characteristics)].
abstract: The Harderian gland is located in the eye orbit and is part of orbital glands complex. The gland is present in almost all vertebrates, i.e., amphibians (except the completely aquatic ones), reptiles, birds, mammals, but not in fish. Among mammals it was described in the Marsupialia and most Eutheria. This review includes data on the Harderian gland structure and cytology of its secretory epithelium. Location of the gland in the eye orbit, its structure and relative size vary in different mammals. Ultrastructural characteristics of its epithelial cells also vary. There are structural differences not only between protein-, mucus- and lipid-synthesizing cells, but within each of these groups too. The chemical nature of the Harderian gland secretory product is species specific.
authors.forename: N D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Bodiak
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006243:Harderian Gland / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000378:metabolism; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008297:Male; D008322:Mammals / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013045:Species Specificity; D008055:Lipids
chemical_list: D008055:Lipids
vernacular_title: Garderova zheleza mlekopitaiushchikh (osobennosti struktury).