Preputial gland
Encyclopedia
Preputial glands are exocrine gland
s that are located in front of the genitals of some mammal
s (including mice
) and produce pheromone
s. The preputial glands of female animals are sometimes called clitoral glands.
The best studied preputial glands are those of the House Mouse
and the Brown Rat
, because these two species are important model organism
s and because their preputial glands are very similar in structure to the (much smaller) sebaceous gland
s of humans. The preputial glands of male musk deer
produce strong-smelling musk
which is of economic importance as it is used in perfume
s.
and in 1694 fully described by William Cowper
who named them Tyson's glands after Tyson. They are described as modified sebaceous gland
s located around the corona and inner surface of the prepuce of the human penis
. They are believed to be most frequently found in the balanopreputial sulcus. Their secretion may be one of the components of smegma
.
Some dispute their existence. While humans may not have true anatomical equivalents, the term may sometimes be used for tiny whitish yellow pimples occasionally found on the corona of the glans penis
. The proper name for these structures is pearly penile papules (or hirsutoid papillomas). According to detractors, they are not glands but mere thickenings of the skin and are not involved in the formation of smegma.
Exocrine gland
Exocrine glands are a type of ductal glands that secrete their products into ducts that lead directly into the external environment...
s that are located in front of the genitals of some mammal
Mammal
Mammals are members of a class of air-breathing vertebrate animals characterised by the possession of endothermy, hair, three middle ear bones, and mammary glands functional in mothers with young...
s (including mice
MICE
-Fiction:*Mice , alien species in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy*The Mice -Acronyms:* "Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing, Exhibitions", facilities terminology for events...
) and produce pheromone
Pheromone
A pheromone is a secreted or excreted chemical factor that triggers a social response in members of the same species. Pheromones are chemicals capable of acting outside the body of the secreting individual to impact the behavior of the receiving individual...
s. The preputial glands of female animals are sometimes called clitoral glands.
The best studied preputial glands are those of the House Mouse
House mouse
The house mouse is a small rodent, a mouse, one of the most numerous species of the genus Mus.As a wild animal the house mouse mainly lives associated with humans, causing damage to crops and stored food....
and the Brown Rat
Brown Rat
The brown rat, common rat, sewer rat, Hanover rat, Norway rat, Brown Norway rat, Norwegian rat, or wharf rat is one of the best known and most common rats....
, because these two species are important model organism
Model organism
A model organism is a non-human species that is extensively studied to understand particular biological phenomena, with the expectation that discoveries made in the organism model will provide insight into the workings of other organisms. Model organisms are in vivo models and are widely used to...
s and because their preputial glands are very similar in structure to the (much smaller) sebaceous gland
Sebaceous gland
The sebaceous glands are microscopic glands in the skin that secrete an oily/waxy matter, called sebum, to lubricate and waterproof the skin and hair of mammals...
s of humans. The preputial glands of male musk deer
Musk deer
Musk deer are artiodactyls of the genus Moschus, the only genus of family Moschidae. They are more primitive than the cervids, or true deer, in not having antlers or facial glands, in having only a single pair of teats, and in possessing a gall bladder, a caudal gland, a pair of tusk-like teeth...
produce strong-smelling musk
Musk
Musk is a class of aromatic substances commonly used as base notes in perfumery. They include glandular secretions from animals such as the musk deer, numerous plants emitting similar fragrances, and artificial substances with similar odors. Musk was a name originally given to a substance with a...
which is of economic importance as it is used in perfume
Perfume
Perfume is a mixture of fragrant essential oils and/or aroma compounds, fixatives, and solvents used to give the human body, animals, objects, and living spaces "a pleasant scent"...
s.
Human homologues
There is debate about whether humans have functional homologues to preputial glands. Preputial glands were first noted by Edward TysonEdward Tyson
Edward Tyson was a British scientist and physician, commonly regarded as the founder of modern comparative anatomy, which compares the anatomy between species....
and in 1694 fully described by William Cowper
William Cowper (anatomist)
William Cowper FRS was an English surgeon and anatomist, famous for his early description of what is now known as the Cowper's gland....
who named them Tyson's glands after Tyson. They are described as modified sebaceous gland
Sebaceous gland
The sebaceous glands are microscopic glands in the skin that secrete an oily/waxy matter, called sebum, to lubricate and waterproof the skin and hair of mammals...
s located around the corona and inner surface of the prepuce of the human penis
Penis
The penis is a biological feature of male animals including both vertebrates and invertebrates...
. They are believed to be most frequently found in the balanopreputial sulcus. Their secretion may be one of the components of smegma
Smegma
Smegma is a combination of exfoliated epithelial cells, transudated skin oils, and moisture. It occurs in both female and male mammalian genitalia.-Human smegma:Both females and males produce smegma...
.
Some dispute their existence. While humans may not have true anatomical equivalents, the term may sometimes be used for tiny whitish yellow pimples occasionally found on the corona of the glans penis
Glans penis
The glans penis is the sensitive bulbous structure at the distal end of the penis. The glans penis is anatomically homologous to the clitoral glans of the female...
. The proper name for these structures is pearly penile papules (or hirsutoid papillomas). According to detractors, they are not glands but mere thickenings of the skin and are not involved in the formation of smegma.