wattle (redirected from wattling)

wattle

one of the fleshy appendages suspended from the head, spectacularly in turkeys, less so in other domestic birds, rarely in goats, and sheep and pigs.

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avian wattle

a double fold of skin, similar anatomically to the tissue of the bird's comb, suspended from the mandible of domestic fowls. They are bilateral, without feathers and have a red, meaty appearance.

Avian wattles and comb. By permission from Sack W, Wensing CJG, Dyce KM, Textbook of Veterinary Anatomy, Saunders, 2002

caprine w's

variable in their location and their occurrence. Thought to be inherited as a single dominant gene. They are fusiform, 1.5 to 2 inches long, fleshy masses covered with normal skin and suspended usually from the mandibular area but may occur below the ear. Called also tassel.

wattle cholera

a localized form of fowl cholera characterized by inflammation and necrosis of the wattles.

wattle cyst

fluid-filled cystic structure in the wattle of goats, most commonly Nubians; believed to be developmental abnormalities arising from the branchial cleft.

ovine w's

identical to caprine but much less common.

porcine w's

similar to caprine wattles in location and appearance but have a cartilaginous core and thought to be inherited.