Duvernoy's gland

The Duvernoy's gland, also called the upper lip glands that are poison -producing glands of some snakes ( Colubridae ), although functional, but not morphologically homologous to the venom glands of the poison snakes ( Elapidae ) and Vipers ( Viperidae ) are. The Duvernoy's glands are located behind the eyes, are surrounded by a very thin connective tissue and consist mainly of serous cells. A single, short walk leads to the front from the lumen to the base of the posterior teeth in the oral cavity. When designated as a mirage snakes colubrids teeth are notched for better poison transmission. Are controlled by the glands on the maxillary branch of the trigeminal nerve and the facial nerve, the blood supply is via side branches of the internal carotid artery. The glands produce toxic proteins that are often blamed for poisoning by morsels of traditionally considered to be non-toxic snakes. In grass snakes (Natrix natrix ) was reported by acute swelling and discoloration of the hand after a bite on the finger, but there were no pain.

Swell

• A. Gläßer - Trobisch & D. Trobisch (2008): Bite accident at a grass snake feeding. elaphe 16 (2 ), pp. 59-61

• Exocrine gland
• Anatomy of Reptiles