Nidamental gland

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Ventral view of the viscera of Chtenopteryx sicula, showing the presence of the nidamental gland and accessory nidamental gland.

The nidamental gland is an internal organ found in some elasmobranchs and certain molluscs, including cephalopods (specifically Decapodiformes and nautiluses) and gastropods.

In cephalopods, the nidamental gland is a large glandular structure found in the mantle cavity. An accessory nidamental gland may also be present. Nidamental glands are composed of lamellae which secrete egg cases or the gelatinous substance comprising egg masses.

[edit] References

• Bloodgood, R.A. 1977. The squid accessory nidamental gland: ultrastructure and association with bacteria. Tissue Cell 9(2): 197-208.
• Prasad, R.R. 1948. Observations on the Nidamental Glands of Hydrolagus colliei, Raja rhina and Platyrhinoidis triseriatus. Copeia 1948(1): 54-57. doi:10.2307/1438791
• Young, R.E., M. Vecchione & K.M. Mangold 1999. Cephalopoda Glossary. Tree of Life web project.