Avian integument Flashcards
How does the avian epithelium differ from a mammals?
- Much thinner and mainly glandless
- Contains feather follicles
How is the skin of the legs and feet of birds formed ?
-Scales are formed from heavy keratinised epidermis and are separated by folds of less keratinised tissue
What does podotheca mean?
The skin of the legs and feet
What is the proper name for bumblefoot?
Pododermatitis
What is the uropygial gland?
Bilobed gland located above the cloaca
-The preen gland
Provides waterproof secretions for the feathers
Secretions also contain pro vit D converted by UV light to active vit D
What happens to keratinocytes in birds?
They switch from cuboidal to squamous cells and lose organelles. They also produce more lipid.
What are patagia (thin flaps of skin) on the wings responsible for?
Wing stability and aid aerodynamics
Why are patagia clinically important?
Loose areas of skin that can be used for subcut injections
Describe the composition of the rostrum (beak)
- Modified epithelium
- Very thick stratum corneum
- Contains calcium phosphate
- Abundant keratin
What causes scaly face in birds and what are the symptoms?
Knemidokptics mite infection
Hyperkeratosis of the cere, beak and surrounding tissue
List the main different types of feather
- Countour feathers (cover most of the body)
- Coverts (countour feathers of wings/ tail)
- Remiges (large stiff feathers of the wing
- Retrices large flight feathers of the tail
