Example Of Apocrine Gland

Understanding Apocrine Glands: A Detailed Exploration

Apocrine glands are a type of sweat gland found in mammals, playing a unique role in thermoregulation and scent production. Unlike eccrine glands, which are primarily involved in cooling the body through sweat evaporation, apocrine glands secrete a thicker, oily substance that mixes with bacteria on the skin's surface, producing a characteristic odor. This article will delve into the intricacies of apocrine glands, exploring their location, function, secretion, and associated conditions.

1. Location and Distribution of Apocrine Glands

Apocrine glands are strategically located in specific areas of the body, reflecting their distinct functional roles. Unlike eccrine glands, which are widely distributed across the skin, apocrine glands are concentrated in areas rich in hair follicles. These locations include:

Axillae (armpits): The armpits are the most well-known location for apocrine glands. Their secretion contributes significantly to body odor.
Perianal region: Apocrine glands are also present around the anus.
Areolae of the breasts: The areola, the pigmented area surrounding the nipple, contains apocrine glands. Their secretion plays a role in lactation, although its exact contribution is still under research.
External genitalia: Both male and female external genitalia contain apocrine glands.
External auditory canal (ear canal): Ceruminous glands, a specialized type of apocrine gland, are responsible for producing earwax (cerumen).

The concentration of apocrine glands varies between individuals and is influenced by genetic factors and hormonal changes.

2. Composition and Secretion of Apocrine Sweat

Apocrine sweat is noticeably different from eccrine sweat. It's a viscous, milky or yellowish fluid containing:

Water: While present, water constitutes a smaller proportion compared to eccrine sweat.
Lipids: Fats and fatty acids are key components, contributing to the oily nature of the secretion.
Proteins: These include various proteins that can interact with bacteria.
Steroids: Steroids and pheromones are also found in apocrine secretions.
Carbohydrates: Small amounts of carbohydrates are also present.

The secretion process of apocrine glands is unique. Instead of simply releasing sweat through exocytosis (like eccrine glands), apocrine glands release their contents through a process of apocrine secretion. In this process, a portion of the apical cytoplasm (the top part of the gland cell) is pinched off along with the secretory product, which is then released into the duct.

3. Role of Bacteria in Body Odor

The characteristic odor associated with apocrine sweat isn't inherent to the secretion itself. Instead, the odor is a result of the interaction between apocrine sweat components and bacteria residing on the skin's surface. These bacteria metabolize the components of apocrine sweat, producing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that contribute to body odor. The type and abundance of bacteria present will influence the specific odor produced. Hygiene practices that remove bacteria, such as regular showering and washing, can significantly reduce body odor.

4. Hormonal Influence on Apocrine Glands

Apocrine gland activity is strongly influenced by hormones, particularly androgens (male sex hormones). This is why apocrine gland activity increases significantly during puberty, coinciding with the surge in androgen production. This explains the onset of body odor during adolescence. Fluctuations in hormone levels throughout life, including pregnancy and menopause, can also affect apocrine gland activity and the intensity of body odor.

5. Apocrine Gland Disorders and Conditions

While generally harmless, apocrine glands can be involved in certain conditions:

Hidradenitis suppurativa: This is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the apocrine glands, leading to painful, recurring abscesses and scarring. It's often associated with blocked sweat ducts.
Bromhidrosis: This refers to excessive body odor, often stemming from increased apocrine gland activity or bacterial overgrowth.
Apocrine gland carcinoma: This is a rare but serious type of skin cancer originating in the apocrine glands.

Summary

Apocrine glands are unique sweat glands located in specific areas of the body, contributing to scent production and having roles in lactation and earwax production. Their secretion, distinct from eccrine sweat, is rich in lipids and proteins, and its interaction with skin bacteria generates characteristic body odor. Hormonal influences are crucial to their activity, impacting odor intensity throughout life. While usually benign, apocrine glands can be involved in certain conditions requiring medical attention.

FAQs

1. Q: Are apocrine glands essential for survival? A: No, apocrine glands are not essential for survival. Eccrine glands are primarily responsible for thermoregulation, a crucial function for survival.

2. Q: Can you reduce apocrine gland activity? A: While you can't eliminate apocrine glands, maintaining good hygiene and using antiperspirants can help manage the odor they produce. Certain medical treatments might be necessary for conditions like hidradenitis suppurativa.

3. Q: Why do some people have stronger body odor than others? A: This is influenced by genetic factors affecting both apocrine gland activity and the type and abundance of skin bacteria. Hormonal differences also play a significant role.

4. Q: What is the difference between apocrine and eccrine sweat? A: Apocrine sweat is thicker, oily, and contains more lipids and proteins. Eccrine sweat is thinner, watery, and mainly involved in thermoregulation. Apocrine sweat requires bacterial action to produce odor, unlike eccrine sweat.

5. Q: When should I see a doctor about apocrine gland issues? A: Seek medical advice if you experience recurrent pain, inflammation, or unusual skin changes in areas with apocrine glands, particularly if accompanied by unusual discharge or strong odor.

Search Results:

Apocrine gland - Definition and Examples - Biology Online Apocrine glands are a sub-type of exocrine glands. They release their glandular apocrine secretions by the process of budding. Once the glandular contents are ready to be secreted, a bud forms and is eventually pinched off from the apocrine cells into the duct.

Sweat glands: Structure and function - Kenhub 3 Nov 2023 · Eccrine glands are found all over the body and secrete a watery product that cools the skin. Apocrine sweat glands are mainly found in the armpits and perianal area, and secrete a more viscous, odorous product. There are several histological differences between these two types of glands, but they do share a common general structure.

Give an example of an apocrine, merocrine, and holocrine gland. Mammary gland is an example of an apocrine gland. Merocrine glands are those glands in which cells secrete their substances by exocytosis from secretory cells into an epithelial walled duct or ducts and thence onto a bodily surface or into the lumen. Salivary glands are merocrine in nature.

Apocrine Gland - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics In the human, apocrine glands are concentrated mainly in the perineal region, around the anus and genitalia, and in the axillae. Modified apocrine glands are found in the eyelids (Moll's glands), in the areolar skin around the nipple, and in the external auditory canal, where they form the ceruminous glands responsible for the production of ear ...

How do apocrine, exocrine, merocrine, and holocrine glands Apocrine glands are glands that release some part of the cell along with their secretions in the form of vesicles. Exocrine glands are said to be glands that pour their secretions into a duct instead of releasing it directly into the blood.

Glands: Anatomy and clinical notes - Kenhub 30 Oct 2023 · Merocrine glands are the most common and release their secretory products via exocytosis. The major secretory products of these glands are usually proteins. Apocrine glands release their secretory products contained within membrane-bound vesicles.

What is an example of an apocrine, exocrine, merocrine, and Apocrine glands are secretive glands that release their cytoplasm in their secretions. They produce extracellular membrane-bound vesicles that are released from the apocrine glands and enter the lumen.

Types of Glands - Med School Hub 4 Sep 2024 · Apocrine glands are a type of exocrine gland that secrete a thick, milky fluid often linked to body odor. Unlike merocrine glands, apocrine glands release secretions by pinching off a portion of the cell's cytoplasm, which then enters the gland's duct.

Definition of apocrine gland - NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms A type of gland that is found in the skin, breast, eyelid, and ear. Apocrine glands in the breast secrete fat droplets into breast milk and those in the ear help form earwax. Apocrine glands in the skin and eyelid are sweat glands.

Apocrine - Wikipedia An example of true apocrine glands is the mammary glands, responsible for secreting breast milk. [2] Apocrine glands are also found in the anogenital region and axillae. [3] Apocrine secretion is less damaging to the gland than holocrine secretion (which destroys a cell) but more damaging than merocrine secretion .

Histology of Apocrine Glands: Understanding the Structure and 24 Jul 2023 · Explore the histology of apocrine glands, including their structure, cellular components, and functions in thermoregulation and pheromone secretion. Gain insights into these specialized exocrine glands and their significance in various physiological processes.

Apocrine Gland - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics Apocrine glands are found regularly in the axilla, anogenital region, the areola and nipple of the female breast, the eyelids (Moll's glands), and the external auditory canal. They are sometimes found in the skin of the scalp and the face. Apocrine glands are derived from the primary epithelial germ along with the hair follicle and sebaceous gland.

What is an example of an apocrine, exocrine, merocrine, and … Apocrine glands: They store their secretory product on the secreting cell's apical surface. The portion pinches off from the rest of the cell to release the secretion. For example- mammary glands that secrete milk; Exocrine gland: Exocrine glands are comprised of an acinus and a duct with different cell types, respectively.

Give an example of an apocrine, merocrine, and holocrine gland. Mammary gland is an example of an apocrine gland. Merocrine glands are those glands in which cells secrete their substances by exocytosis from secretory cells into an epithelial walled duct or ducts and thence onto a bodily surface or into the lumen. Salivary glands are merocrine in nature.

Apocrine glands - (General Biology I) - Fiveable In which areas of the body are apocrine glands mainly located? Eccrine Glands: Sweat glands that are responsible for regulating body temperature through watery secretion. Sebaceous Glands: Glands that secrete sebum into hair follicles to lubricate skin and hair.

Apocrine gland | anatomy | Britannica In human beings, apocrine glands are concentrated in the underarm and in genital regions; the glands are inactive until they are stimulated by hormonal changes in puberty. In other mammals, apocrine glands are more numerous.

Histology, Apocrine Gland - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf 10 Oct 2022 · Apocrine glands release their products by “decapitation,” a process by which membrane-bound cytoplasm from the apical surface of the cells buds off into the lumen of the duct and is secreted. Histologically, apocrine glands can be viewed using light microscopy with hematoxylin and eosin staining.

Apocrine – Primary Care Notebook 1 Jan 2018 · Apocrine is the adjective used to describe a gland which loses a portion of its protoplasm during secretion. Examples include: apocrine sweat glands; mammary glands; ceruminous glands of ear canal; glands of Moll in eyelid

Apocrine sweat gland - Wikipedia An apocrine sweat gland (/ ˈ æ p ə k r ə n,-ˌ k r aɪ n,-ˌ k r iː n /; from Greek apo 'away' and krinein 'to separate') [5] [6] is composed of a coiled secretory portion located at the junction of the dermis and subcutaneous fat, from which a straight portion inserts and secretes into the infundibular portion of the hair follicle. [7]

Apocrine Glands Function & Location - Cleveland Clinic 22 Aug 2024 · Apocrine glands go by different names according to their location and what they do in your body. For example: Apocrine sweat glands are located mostly in your armpits and genital area. They secrete oily sweat that doesn’t have a clear function.