exocrine gland

Examples of exocrine gland in the following topics:

• Glandular Epithelia

  • Glandular epithelium contains glands, either exocrine or endocrine, allowing for secretory function.
  • Epithelia can also be organized into clusters of cells that function as exocrine and endocrine glands.
  • There are two major classifications of glands: endocrine glands and exocrine glands.
  • Examples of exocrine glands include the sweat glands, salivary glands, mammary glands, the pancreas, and the liver.
  • The exocrine glands secrete their products into a duct that then delivers the product to the lumen of an organ or onto the free surface of the epithelium.

• Pancreas

  • The pancreas is a gland organ in the digestive and endocrine systems.
  • The pancreas is a gland organ in the digestive and endocrine systems.
  • As an endocrine gland, the pancreas produces several important hormones which include insulin, glucagon, somatostatin and pancreatic polypeptide.
  • The pancreas is a dual-function gland, having features of both endocrine and exocrine glands.
  • The pancreas as an exocrine gland helps out the digestive system.

• Epithelial Membranes

  • Submucosal glands consist of exocrine glands that secrete mucus.
  • These glands excrete mucus to facilitate the movement of particles along the body's various tubes, such as the throat and intestines.
  • The submucosal glands are a companion to unicellular goblet cells, which also produce mucus, and are found lining the same tubes.

• Sjögren's Syndrome

  • Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease in which immune cells attack and destroy the exocrine glands that produce tears and saliva.
  • Sjögren's syndrome, also known as "Mikulicz disease" and "Sicca syndrome," is a systemic autoimmune disease in which immune cells attack and destroy the exocrine glands that produce tears and saliva.
  • A physical examination can reveal dryness on the surface of the eye, and a biopsy of the lip can reveal lymphocytes clustered around salivary glands, and damage to these glands due to inflammation.
  • If lesions are observed within the salivary glands, it is strongly indicative of Sjögren's syndrome.
  • There is currently no known cure for Sjögren's syndrome and there is no specific treatment to permanently restore gland secretion.

• Histology of the Pancreas

  • It is both an endocrine gland producing several important hormones, including insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, and pancreatic polypeptide, as well as a digestive organ, secreting pancreatic juice containing digestive enzymes that assist the absorption of nutrients and the digestion in the small intestine.
  • Acinar cells belong to the exocrine pancreas and secrete digestive enzymes into the gut via a system of ducts.
  • The pancreas is a dual-function gland, having features of both endocrine and exocrine glands.

• Overview of the Endocrine System

  • The endocrine system is a system of ductless glands that secrete hormones, which are chemical messengers that act at a distance.
  • For example the pineal gland, located at the base of the brain, secretes the hormone melatonin, responsible for regulating sleep patterns.
  • The endocrine system is in contrast to the exocrine system which features ducted glands which secrete substances onto an epithelial surface for example a sweat gland.
  • The major endocrine glands include the pituitary, pineal, ovaries, testes, thyroid, hypothalamus and adrenal glands, additionally other tissues such as the kidney and liver also display secondary adrenal functions.
  • The endocrine systems found in the head and neck include the hypothalamus, pineal, pituitary and thyroid glands.

• Types of Cells in the Pancreas

  • It an endocrine gland as it produces several important hormones, including insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, and pancreatic polypeptide.
  • It is also a digestive, exocrine, organ, secreting pancreatic juice containing digestive enzymes that assist with digestion and the absorption of nutrients in the small intestine.
  • Acinar cells belong to the exocrine pancreas and secrete digestive enzymes into the gut via a system of ducts.
  • Pancreatic polypeptide regulates both the endocrine and exocrine pancreatic secretions.

• Accessory Sex Glands

  • The excretory duct of the seminal gland opens into the vas deferens as it enters the prostate gland.
  • It is the only exocrine organ located in the midline in humans and similar animals.
  • The bulbourethral glands are compound tubulo-alveolar glands, each approximately the size of a pea.
  • The glands gradually diminish in size with advancing age.
  • The bulbourethral gland is labeled at center left.

• Overview of the Adrenal Glands

  • In mammals, the adrenal glands (also known as suprarenal glands) are endocrine glands that sit atop the kidneys.
  • In mammals, the adrenal glands (also known as suprarenal glands) are endocrine glands that sit atop the kidneys.
  • In humans, the right adrenal gland is triangular shaped, while the left adrenal gland is semilunar shaped.
  • Each adrenal gland has two distinct structures, the outer adrenal cortex and the inner medulla, both of which produce hormones.
  • The adrenal glands are triangular-shaped organs on top of the kidneys.

• Sweat (Sudoriferous) Glands

  • Sweat glands, also known as sudoriferous glands, are distributed over most of the body surface.
  • Sweat glands, also called sudoriferous glands, are simple tubular glands found almost everywhere on our body. 
  • The other kind of sweat glands are known as apocrine glands. 
  • Unlike eccrine glands, the exact function of apocrine glands is unknown and debated. 
  • Cross sectional image of skin showing a sweat gland and a sebaceous gland.