Glands

Def of Exocrine Gland

a gland that makes a substance (ex. Tears) and secretes them through an opening to a body surface.

4 Main Types of Exocrine Glands

• Sebaceous glands (oil glands)

• Sudoriferous glands (sweat glands)

• Mammary glands

• Ceruminous glands

Def of Sebaceous Glands

• Oil glands

• Secrete sebum: an oily substance

Sebaceous Glands Location

• Found all over the body except the thick skin of the palms and soles

• Small on the body and limbs; large on the face, neck, and upper chest

• Usually grow on hair follicles

Function of Sebum:

• Soften and lubricate hair and skin

• Prevent water loss

• Bactericidal action: kills bacteria

Def of Sudoriferous Glands

• Sweat glands

• Contraction of the glands forces sweat out to the skin’s surface

Sudoriferous Glands Location

• Distributed over the entire skin surface except for the nipples and parts of the genitals

• Up to 3 million per person

Types of Sudoriferous Glands

Eccrine and Apocrine

Eccrine Gland Function

• Sweat prevents the body from over-heating

• The sweat that they secrete is 99% water + some salt + traces of waste

Eccrine Gland Location

• Abundant on the palms, soles of feet, and forehead

Apocrine Gland Function/Description

• Sweat is odorless, but bacteria on the skin feed on it and create body odor

• Begin functioning at puberty

• Play very little role in maintaining body temperature

• The sweat that they secrete is water + some salt + traces of waste + fats

• Due to the fat, sweat is milky and viscous

Apocrine Gland Location

• You have approximately 2,000

• Only in the axillary (armpit) and genital regions

2 Types of Modified Apocrine Sweat Glands

• Ceruminous glands: produce ear wax (cerumen)

• Mammary glands: produce milk