Comparative anatomical and topographic studies of the salivary glands of red deer (Cervus elaphus), fallow deer (Cervus dama), and mouflon (Ovis ammon musimon)--ruminantia: cervidae, bovidae.

The salivary glands of red deer, fallow deer, and mouflon were investigated macroscopically as to their topographic situation and relationship, as to their specific structure including their ducts and to their relative weight. These findings were compared with those from domestic ruminants and were related to the morphophysiological specialisation of other portions of the ruminant digestive system and to their function. The relative size of all salivary glands decreases from red deer via fallow deer to mouflon in spite of principal topographic and shape similarities and it reflects the position of these species within the system of ruminant feeding types.