Parotoid gland

A raised skin gland behind the eye in some amphibians, especially toads and salamanders, that releases defensive secretions when threatened.

Bufotoxin: A group of toxic steroid compounds found in secretions of some toads. Bufotoxins are among the defensive chemicals produced by parotoid glands.
Cane toad: A large, invasive toad native to Central and South America whose parotoid glands release potent toxins. Its prominent glands and toxic secretions make it a widely studied example.
Exocrine gland: A gland that releases its products through a duct or onto an epithelial surface. Parotoid glands discharge secretion onto the skin rather than into the bloodstream.
Mucous gland: A gland that secretes mucus to keep epithelial surfaces moist or lubricated. Mucous glands support skin moisture, whereas parotoid glands specialize in defense.
Bufotenine: A psychoactive tryptamine alkaloid found in the skin secretions of some amphibians. Some parotoid secretions contain bufotenine alongside other defensive compounds.
Colorado River toad: A large Sonoran Desert toad whose skin glands produce bufotenine and other biologically active compounds. Its parotoid secretions have drawn scientific and public attention.
Granular gland: A skin gland in amphibians that stores and releases bioactive substances in secretory granules. Parotoid tissue is a concentrated aggregation of toxin-secreting granular glands.
Poison gland: A gland that produces or stores substances harmful to another organism. Parotoid glands are a prominent amphibian example of poison glands.
Amphibian skin: The permeable, gland-bearing outer tissue of amphibians, used in protection, respiration, and water balance. Parotoid glands are specialized structures embedded in amphibian skin.
Common toad: A widespread European toad with prominent parotoid glands behind the eyes. It shows the familiar paired-gland form associated with the term.

Linked from 6 pages