Ovine Infraorbital (Preorbital) Pouch: An Unusual Presentation in a Male Lamb

Abstract

The infraorbital (preorbital) pouch is a conspicuous cutaneous structure present in many ruminant species, including deer, sheep and goats.1 The paired pouches are located rostral to the medial canthus of each eye (Figure 1) and contain both sebaceous glands and sweat glands. The characteristics of these glands have been well documented in deer species but there has been relatively little research into their structure or function in sheep. They seem to have a somewhat sporadic occurrence and appear more often in rams than in ewes. As their secretions are largely sebaceous, it has been suggested that these glands secrete pheromones which aid in olfactory communication2 and is probably associated with dominant behaviour. This report refers to the occurrence of prominent bilateral folds within the infraorbital pouches of a 10-day-old lamb. Read more . . . .