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Descriptor English: Sperm Whale
Descriptor Spanish: Cachalote
Descriptor cachalote
Entry term(s) Physeter catodon
Physeter macrocephalus
Scope note: Especie Physeter catodon (denominada también Physeter macrocephalus), de la familia Physeteridae. El nombre común en inglés ("sperm whale") deriva de la sustancia lechosa cérea que se encuentra en su cabeza ("spermaceti"). La especie también produce una secreción intestinal, ÁMBAR GRIS, que se ha utilizado en perfumería. El cachalote es el mayor MAMÍFERO con dientes del mundo.
Descriptor Portuguese: Cachalote
Descriptor French: Cachalot macrocéphale
Entry term(s): Physeter catodon
Physeter macrocephalus
Whale, Sperm
Tree number(s): B01.050.150.900.649.313.875.865.750
RDF Unique Identifier: https://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/D050661
Scope note: The species Physeter catodon (also called Physeter macrocephalus), in the family Physeteridae. The common name is derived from the milky wax substance in its head (spermaceti). The species also produces an intestinal secretion AMBERGRIS, which was previously used in perfumes. The sperm whale is the largest toothed MAMMAL in the world.
Annotation: do not confuse with the Pygmy Sperm Whale or Dwarf Sperm Whale = WHALES
Allowable Qualifiers: AB abnormalities
AH anatomy & histology
BL blood
CF cerebrospinal fluid
CL classification
EM embryology
GD growth & development
GE genetics
IM immunology
IN injuries
ME metabolism
MI microbiology
PH physiology
PS parasitology
PX psychology
SU surgery
UR urine
VI virology
Previous Indexing: Cetacea (1965-2005)
Whales (1974-2005)
Public MeSH Note: 2006; see WHALES 1998-2005
History Note: 2006; use WHALES 1998-2005
Related: Ambergris MeSH
Ambra grisea DeCS
DeCS ID: 50394
Unique ID: D050661
Documents indexed in the Virtual Health Library (VHL): Click here to access the VHL documents
Date Established: 2006/01/01
Date of Entry: 2005/06/30
Revision Date: 2017/07/12
Sperm Whale - Preferred
Concept UI M0022961
Scope note The species Physeter catodon (also called Physeter macrocephalus), in the family Physeteridae. The common name is derived from the milky wax substance in its head (spermaceti). The species also produces an intestinal secretion AMBERGRIS, which was previously used in perfumes. The sperm whale is the largest toothed MAMMAL in the world.
Preferred term Sperm Whale
Entry term(s) Physeter catodon
Physeter macrocephalus
Whale, Sperm



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