Cutaneous Glands

Eccrine Sweat Glands

• Located on most parts of the body but is especially dense on palms, soles, and forehead

• Small sweat glands with ducts that lead to the skin surface

• Overheating → SNS activates eccrine glands to release watery perspiration → Thermoregulation (evaporative cooling)

Apocrine Sweat Glands

• Locations: Groin, axilla

• Inactive until puberty (“scent glands” - pheromones)

• Responds especially to stress and sexual stimulation

• Ducts lead into nearby hair follicles

• Produces sweat that is thicker and milky, contains proteins and lipids, leads to body odor

Sebaceous Glands

• Have short ducts that open into hair follicles

• Produce an oily secretion called sebum

  • Keeps skin and hair from becoming dry, brittle, and cracked

Ceruminous Glands

• Modified apocrine glands found only in external ear canal

• Releases a yellowish waxy secretion

  • Combines with sebum and dead epithelial cells to form cerumen (earwax)

• Functions:

  • Keeps eardrum pliable

  • Waterproof ear canal

  • Kills bacteria

  • Helps block outside particles from entering the ear

Mammary Glands

• Milk-producing glands that develop within the female breast during pregnancy and lactation

• Modified apocrine sweat glands that release milk through multiple ducts leading to a single nipple.