Sweat Glands

Sweat glands (aka sudoriferous glands)

Eccrine (merocrine) sweat glands and Apocrine sweat glands

Eccrine (Merocrine)

The most numerous sweat glands are connected to ducts found on the palms, soles, and forehead.

Eccrine (Merocrine) function

Function in thermoregulation, Regulated by sympathetic nervous system

Eccrine (Merocrine) secertion

99% water, salts, vitamin C, antibodies, dermcidin (microbe-killing peptide), metabolic wastes

Apocrine Sweat Glands

begins function at puberty and is confined to the ducts emptying into hair follicles in the axillary and anogenital areas

Apocrine Sweat Glands secret

Bacteria break down sweat, causing viscous, milky, or yellowish sweat and body odor.

Modified apocrine glands

Ceruminous glands and Mammary glands

Ceruminous glands

lining of external ear canal; secrete cerumen (earwax)

Mammary glands

secrete milk

Sebum

an oily holocrine secretion with bactericidal properties, softening hair and skin.

holocrine gland

Glandular secretion involves cell disintegration and release of secretory product.

Acne

an infectious inflammation of the sebaceous glands, resulting in pimples (pustules or cysts)

Whiteheads

are blocked sebaceous glands

blackhead

if secretion (whitehead) is oxidized

seborrhea “cradle cap”

Overactive sebaceous glands in infants