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Related Concept Videos

Exocrine Glands: Unicellular and Multicellular Glands01:29

Exocrine Glands: Unicellular and Multicellular Glands

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Exocrine glands are classified as unicellular and multicellular. The unicellular glands are scattered single cells, such as goblet cells, found in the mucous membranes of the small and large intestines. On the other hand, multicellular exocrine glands develop as secretory sheets, like the internal lining of the abdomen or chest. Such secretory sheets release their secretions directly into the lumen of these organs. In addition, some multicellular glands have deep-seated secretory units to...
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Exocrine Glands: Methods of Secretion01:08

Exocrine Glands: Methods of Secretion

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Exocrine glands are those that release their secretions through ducts. Based on their mode of secretion, they can be classified into merocrine, apocrine, and holocrine.
Merocrine Secretion
Merocrine secretion is the most common type of exocrine secretion. The secretions are enclosed in vesicles and moved to the cell's apical surface, where the contents are released by exocytosis. For example, mucous, a watery secretion rich in the glycoprotein mucin, is a merocrine secretion. The eccrine...
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Classification of Epithelial Tissues: Glandular Epithelium01:20

Classification of Epithelial Tissues: Glandular Epithelium

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The glandular epithelium is made of one or more epithelial cells modified to synthesize and secrete chemical substances. Glandular epithelia can be classified based on cell number. Unicellular glands have individual secretory cells scattered across the epithelial monolayer. In contrast, multicellular glands consist of a hollow tubular duct attached to the cluster of secretory cells located in the deep pockets.
Multicellular glands are formed during early development when epithelial budding...
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Exocrine Glands: Types of Secretions01:13

Exocrine Glands: Types of Secretions

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Exocrine glands produce and release a variety of glandular products. Exocrine glands can be classified into serous, mucous, or mixed types based on their secretory products.
Serous glands produce watery secretions rich in digestive enzymes and proteins. The constituent cells of the serous gland have centrally located nuclei and eosinophilic secretory granules in the cytoplasm. The parotid gland is an example of a serous gland. It secretes saliva, which contains enzymes, such as lipases and...
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Structures of the Endocrine System00:59

Structures of the Endocrine System

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The intricate framework of the endocrine system encompasses a diverse array of glands, with their target tissues and organs strategically distributed throughout the body. Central to this network are the endocrine glands, specialized structures that lack ducts and release hormones directly into the interstitial fluid. Notably, the hypothalamus, a vital neuroendocrine organ situated in the brain, governs neural functions and serves as a potent source of hormonal regulation. Near the hypothalamus...
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Accessory Structures of the Skin: Sweat Glands01:20

Accessory Structures of the Skin: Sweat Glands

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Sweat glands or sudoriferous glands are one of the important accessory structures of the skin. They are small, coiled tubular structures located in the dermis, the middle layer of the skin. Sweat glands are responsible for producing and secreting sweat, a watery fluid that helps regulate body temperature and excrete waste products.
Sweat glands are classified as merocrine glands; that is, the secretions are excreted by exocytosis through a duct without affecting the cells of the gland. There...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 7, 2025

Assessing the Secretory Capacity of Pancreatic Acinar Cells
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Assessing the Secretory Capacity of Pancreatic Acinar Cells

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Exocrine gland structure-function relationships.

Sameed Khan1,2, Sarah Fitch1,2, Sarah Knox3

  • 1Department of Obstetrics Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.

Development (Cambridge, England)
|January 6, 2022
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Exocrine glands secrete fluids vital for mammals. This review explores how the structure of secretory units and ducts impacts gland function and discusses applications in diagnostics and regeneration.

Keywords:
Branching morphogenesisExocrine glandsLacrimal glandsMammary glandsSalivary glandsStructure-function

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Area of Science:

  • Mammalian physiology
  • Developmental biology
  • Tissue engineering

Background:

  • Fluid secretion by exocrine glands is critical for mammalian survival.
  • Each glandular organ possesses a unique architecture for specific functions.
  • Aberrant development of glandular structures leads to impaired organ function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the shared and divergent architecture of mammalian exocrine glandular organs.
  • To correlate tissue architecture of secretory units (end-pieces) and ducts with functional output.
  • To highlight the impact of developmental defects in glandular architecture on secretory function.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on exocrine gland structure and function.
  • Analysis of the relationship between tissue architecture and secretory output.
  • Discussion of developmental processes affecting glandular end-piece and ductal formation.

Main Results:

  • Detailed description of the structural organization of diverse glandular secretory units and their ductal systems.
  • Established correlations between specific tissue architectures and functional secretory capabilities.
  • Identified how defects in end-piece and ductal development compromise exocrine gland function.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding exocrine gland structure-function relationships is key to comprehending organ physiology.
  • Knowledge of these relationships can inform the development of novel diagnostics for glandular disorders.
  • Insights into gland development and architecture can advance regenerative medicine and tissue regeneration strategies.