Exocrine glands
Exocrine glands are specialized structures that secrete substances onto a surface or into a
cavity through ducts. These glands are responsible for producing and secreting various
substances such as enzymes, mucus, sweat, and saliva that help in the digestion of food,
lubrication of surfaces, and maintenance of body temperature.
There are several major exocrine glands in the body, including:
Salivary glands: The salivary glands are a group of three pairs of glands located in the mouth
and produce saliva, which helps in the digestion of food and protects the teeth from decay.
Saliva contains enzymes such as amylase, which breaks down starches, and lipase, which
breaks down fats.
Mammary glands: The mammary glands are located in the breasts and produce milk for
nourishing infants. During lactation, hormones such as prolactin and oxytocin stimulate the
mammary glands to produce and release milk.
Sebaceous glands: The sebaceous glands are located in the skin and produce sebum, an oily
substance that lubricates the skin and hair. Sebum also has antimicrobial properties and helps
to protect the skin from bacteria and fungi.
Sweat glands: The sweat glands are located throughout the skin and produce sweat, which
helps to regulate body temperature and excrete waste products. There are two main types of
sweat glands: eccrine glands, which produce a watery sweat that helps to cool the body, and
apocrine glands, which produce a thicker, milky sweat that is responsible for body odor.
Lacrimal glands: The lacrimal glands are located above the outer corner of each eye and
produce tears, which help to keep the eyes moist and protect them from infection. Tears
contain enzymes and antibodies that help to fight off pathogens.
Liver: The liver is both an exocrine and endocrine gland. Its exocrine function involves
producing and secreting bile, which helps to break down fats in the small intestine. The bile is
transported through the bile ducts into the duodenum, where it aids in the digestion of food.
Exocrine glands are specialized structures that secrete substances onto a surface or into a
cavity through ducts. These glands are responsible for producing and secreting various
substances such as enzymes, mucus, sweat, and saliva that help in the digestion of food,
lubrication of surfaces, and maintenance of body temperature.
There are several major exocrine glands in the body, including:
Salivary glands: The salivary glands are a group of three pairs of glands located in the mouth
and produce saliva, which helps in the digestion of food and protects the teeth from decay.
Saliva contains enzymes such as amylase, which breaks down starches, and lipase, which
breaks down fats.
Mammary glands: The mammary glands are located in the breasts and produce milk for
nourishing infants. During lactation, hormones such as prolactin and oxytocin stimulate the
mammary glands to produce and release milk.
Sebaceous glands: The sebaceous glands are located in the skin and produce sebum, an oily
substance that lubricates the skin and hair. Sebum also has antimicrobial properties and helps
to protect the skin from bacteria and fungi.
Sweat glands: The sweat glands are located throughout the skin and produce sweat, which
helps to regulate body temperature and excrete waste products. There are two main types of
sweat glands: eccrine glands, which produce a watery sweat that helps to cool the body, and
apocrine glands, which produce a thicker, milky sweat that is responsible for body odor.
Lacrimal glands: The lacrimal glands are located above the outer corner of each eye and
produce tears, which help to keep the eyes moist and protect them from infection. Tears
contain enzymes and antibodies that help to fight off pathogens.
Liver: The liver is both an exocrine and endocrine gland. Its exocrine function involves
producing and secreting bile, which helps to break down fats in the small intestine. The bile is
transported through the bile ducts into the duodenum, where it aids in the digestion of food.
