Buccal glands

Bird, AF. (1968) Changes associated with parasitism in nematodes. IV. Cyto-chemical studies on the ampulla of the dorsal esophageal gland of Meloidogyne javanica and on exudations from the buccal stylet. Journal of Parasitology 54, 879-890. 

Table 2 Constituents of secretions of the ventral gland and supplementary sacculi (buccal secretion) of the dwarf hamster, Phodophus sungorus sungorus... 

Food is taken into the buccal cavity, where it is masticated by the teeth and mixed with saliva from three pairs of salivary glands. It moistens the food and dissolves some molecules enabling them to interact with the taste receptors on the tongue. Saliva contains Na% Cl and HCOs ions and a protein, mucin, which is a component of mucus that lubricates the chewed food on its way down the oesophagus. The pH of saliva is about 7.8, which neutralises acid formed by bacteria in the mouth this protects tooth enamel... 

The stomach receives food from the buccal cavity, it partially digests protein, fat and carbohydrate and it then delivers the resulting mixture (chyme) into the small intestine. The inner surface of the stomach is folded into ridges, to allow for distension after a meal, they contain gastric pits into which several gastric glands discharge their secretions (Table 4.1). 

Approximately 30-40% of snake species produce some type of buccal toxins or venom. The major adaptive functions of venoms and buccal toxins in snakes have been associated with food acquisition, defense, and predigestion of prey items. Venomous species possess specialized structures (venom glands or Duvernoy s glands), which produce venom or toxins and enlarged teeth or fangs, which inject or introduce the venom into the prey item. Venom contains enzymes and proteins that break down cellular structures and interferes with critical functions such... 

Most of these ultrastructural investigations were performed on enamel slabs carried in the buccal sulcus or mounted on the buccal sites of the teeth. However, within the oral cavity, saliva provides a series of distinctly different fluid environments [74], and secretions from different salivary glands vary considerably and have a specific protein composition [75], Consequently, more recently published electron microscopic and CLSM studies have focussed on site-dependent differences in the formation (morphogenesis) of the in vivo pellicle [17,28]. 

Amphibian. Skin glands contain poison that cannot be discharged by the animal but is released on pressing the skin. Effects said to be like rabies excitable stage with increased reflexes, rapid respiration and dilated pupils, increased nasal and buccal secretions. Convulsive phase dyspnoea. Paralytic phase respiratory failure and death. Once symptoms begin in animals, death is said to be certain. Lethal dose in a dog 0.7 mg/kg SC. The secretions from the water salamander ( Triton cristatus) cause haemolysis of red cells, increase in BP, cardiac arrest. 

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