The hypobranchial gland is a glandular structure which is part of the anatomy of many mollusks, including different families of gastropods, and protobranch bivalves.[1] This gland produces mucus and biologically active compounds.
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The hypobranchial gland is found in many sea snails, including those in the families Haliotidae, Buccinidae, Mitridae and Costellariidae. It usually presents itself as a thickening of the tissue located in the roof of the animal's mantle cavity[2]. Its morphology, however, is variable between different groups of snails.
There have been studies on some species within the family Muricidae, because in those species the gland secretes the precursor to the historically important natural dye, Tyrian purple. It is thought that the compounds in hypobranchial secretions may have interesting pharmacological properties.