Scent Glands (also known as Gland, Scent, Glands, Scent): Exocrine glands in animals which secrete scents which either repel or attract other animals, e.g. perianal glands of skunks, anal glands of weasels, musk glands of foxes, ventral glands of wood rats, and dorsal glands of peccaries.

NIH MeSH · D012543Anatomy

Scent Glands

Also known asGland, Scent · Glands, Scent · Scent Gland

Definition

Exocrine glands in animals which secrete scents which either repel or attract other animals, e.g. perianal glands of skunks, anal glands of weasels, musk glands of foxes, ventral glands of wood rats, and dorsal glands of peccaries.

MeSH classification

  • A13.820

Need clinical context, treatments, or patient-language explanation?

Ask GoDavaii AI about Scent Glands

Related concepts

Abomasum

The fourth stomach of ruminating animals. It is also called the true stomach. It is an elongated pear-shaped sac lying on the floor of the a…

Air Sacs

Thin-walled sacs or spaces which function as a part of the respiratory system in birds, fishes, insects, and mammals.

Anal Sacs

A pair of anal glands or sacs, located on either side of the ANUS, that produce and store a dark, foul-smelling fluid in carnivorous animals…

Animal Fins

Membranous appendage of fish and other aquatic organisms used for locomotion or balance.

Animal Fur

Usually densely-packed hairs on the skin of MAMMALS.

Animal Scales

Tough, horny, brittle, smooth, striated or plate-like extensions of the stratum corneum or outer layer of the skin. It serves as a protectiv…

Animal Shells

The hard rigid covering of animals including MOLLUSCS; TURTLES; INSECTS; and crustaceans.

Animal Structures

Organs and other anatomical structures of non-human vertebrate and invertebrate animals.

Common questions about Scent Glands

What does Scent Glands mean in medicine?
Exocrine glands in animals which secrete scents which either repel or attract other animals, e.g. perianal glands of skunks, anal glands of weasels, musk glands of foxes, ventral glands of wood rats, and dorsal glands of peccaries. This definition is taken from the National Library of Medicine's MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) 2026 release, which is the standard vocabulary used to index PubMed and most medical literature.
Is Scent Glands known by any other names?
Yes. Scent Glands is also referred to as Gland, Scent, Glands, Scent, Scent Gland in different clinical, research and patient-facing contexts. The MeSH descriptor groups all of these synonyms under a single canonical concept so research and records stay consistent.
Where does Scent Glands sit in the medical classification?
Scent Glands falls under the broader medical category "Anatomy" in the MeSH hierarchy (tree numbers: A13.820). Browsing the related concepts on this page takes you to neighbouring topics in the same branch of medicine.
Where can I get a plain-language explanation of Scent Glands?
For a plain-language explanation of Scent Glands - including symptoms, treatments and what it means for an Indian patient - ask GoDavaii's Health AI. It works in 22+ Indian languages, is free and needs no signup. Tap "Ask GoDavaii AI about Scent Glands" above.

Source: NIH MeSH 2026 (D012543) — National Library of Medicine, public domain. View official MeSH record ↗