Types and Functions of Sweat and Oil Glands in Human Skin

Eccrine glands

Found widely throughout the body, open via a pore to the external surface.

Apocrine glands

Found mainly in the axillary and genital areas, larger and empty into hair follicles.

Eccrine sweat glands

They secrete sweat to help regulate body temperature via evaporation and excrete waste (such as urea, uric acid, salts, and water).

Sebaceous glands

Sebaceous glands are found all over the skin except palms and soles, usually empty into a hair follicle or directly onto the skin surface.

Sebum

Sebaceous glands produce sebum, an oily substance that keeps skin and hair soft, prevents hair from becoming brittle, and contains chemicals that kill some bacteria.

Function of apocrine sweat glands

Apocrine glands produce sweat with fatty acids and proteins, become active during puberty, and may have a milky or yellowish appearance.

Roles of sudoriferous glands

Sudoriferous glands are sweat glands that release sweat.

Roles of sebaceous glands

Sebaceous glands release sebum, keeping skin and hair soft and killing some bacteria.