| uropygial | <anatomy> Of or pertaining to the uropygium, or prominence at the base of the tail feathers, in birds. Uropygial gland, a peculiar sebaceous gland at the base of the tail feathers in most birds. It secretes an oily fluid which is spread over the feathers by preening. See: Uropygium. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| uropygial gland | A compound alveolar gland of birds located on the dorsum of the tail or pygostyle; the secretion of this gland (fatty acids and wax) exits from a papilla on the dorsal surface at the base of the tail feathers; the bird applies the substance to its feathers by means of the bill when preening. The uropygial gland is lacking in some species but its waterproofing ability is essential to water birds. Synonym: glandula uropygius, oil glands, preen gland. (05 Mar 2000) |