Supporting structures osmetrichia, muscles

Scent glands often have accessoiy structures that store secretion, enlarge the surface for scent dispersal, serve as applicators during scent marking, or provide opportunities for bacterial action or interaction of compounds that may come from different sources. 

Special modified hair in the region of a scent gland can enhance its function. Such scent hairs have been termed osmetrichia (Miiller-Schwarze et ah, 1977 Fig. 3.12). They may be stiff bristles with surface chambers formed by their cuticular scales, as in the tarsal tuft of black-tailed deer (Fig. 3.12a), spoon or spatula like, as in the ventral gland of the Mongolian gerbil Meriories unguiculatus Fig. 3.12d), or a wick formed by a hollow medulla and vacuolated cortical 

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