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A gland is a functioning unit of cells that produces and releases a product into a duct or directly into the circulation. Exocrine and Endocrine are the two types of Gland. The primary distinction between the two is that exocrine glands discharge chemicals into a ductal system to an epithelial surface, whereas endocrine glands secrete products directly into the circulation. Exocrine secretions are produced in the acinus, a tiny cluster of cells located at the beginning of glandular ducts. Exocrine glands are classified into subtypes based on how they secrete, the substance they produce, or the form of the gland.
What is Exocrine Gland?
Exocrine glands are a subset of the endocrine system. These glands produce a vast range of compounds that are excreted via a network of ducts. The products produced by the exocrine glands are discharged into the environment (for example, on the skin or in the mouth) rather than into the bloodstream.
Exocrine glands create non-hormonal compounds that are discharged to the outside of your body viaducts, such as perspiration, saliva, and tears.
Exocrine glands produce compounds that serve critical roles in your body. They help regulate your body temperature, protect your skin and eyes, and even assist women in feeding their newborns by generating breast milk.
Exocrine glands include the following: Salivary, sweat, mammary, sebaceous, lacrimal
Types of Exocrine Gland
The body has many exocrine glands, which are classified into three types:
- Holocrine gland: A holocrine gland produces a product and stores it within a cell. To release that product, the entire cell ruptures, dumping its contents. The serous glands on the skin are an example of a holocrine gland.
- Apocrine gland: An apocrine gland is a gland that concentrates its products into a section of itself. It loses the section of itself that houses the product to release it. The gland regrows the piece that was destroyed and repeats the process. The mammary glands in women are an example of an apocrine gland.
- Merocrine gland: A merocrine exocrine gland secretes a hormone through vesicles. The hormone is produced within the gland and subsequently released in tiny pockets across the cellular membrane. This results in an unbroken membrane being left behind. The salivary glands of the mouth are an example of a merocrine gland.
The function of the exocrine gland
The main function of the exocrine glands in the human body varies, it depends on the location of the exocrine gland and organ system. However, the major function is to produce a secretion, which is then delivered onto an epithelial surface via a ductal system. Secretions that aid in food digestion, mucosal protection, thermoregulation, lubrication, and nourishment are examples.
Mechanism of Exocrine Gland
It secretes its secretions through three mechanisms that are merocrine, apocrine, and holocrine.
The most prevalent subtype is merocrine glands. Exocytosis is the process through which merocrine gland secretions leave the cell. In this type of secretion, no cell gets harmed. As merocrine secretion, we can take the example of the eccrine sweat gland.
Apocrine glands, on the other hand, develop membrane buds that break off into the duct, shedding part of the cellular membrane in the process. The mammary gland, which produces breastmilk, is a well-known apocrine gland.
The third kind of excretion is holocrine, in which the cellular membrane ruptures and the product is released into the duct. Sebaceous glands represent Holocrine secretion.
Difference between Endocrine System and Exocrine System
S.no | Endocrine | Exocrine |
1 | Endocrine glands are the primary components of the endocrine system. | The Exocrine system, on the other hand, is mostly made up of exocrine glands. |
2 | The glands in the endocrine system do not have ducts. | The glands of the exocrine system, on the other hand, have ducts. |
3 | The endocrine system secret Hormones. | The exocrine system, on the other hand, secretes enzymes such as perspiration, sebum, enzymes, and mucus. |
4 | The production and secretions of endocrine system glands are directly injected into the circulation. | Exocrine system gland secretions, on the other hand, are not spilled into the circulation. |
5 | The secretions of the endocrine glands are transported at a slower rate. | The rate of transmission of enzymes or exocrine gland secretions, on the other hand, is much quicker. |
6 | Because the transit is through blood, the reaction time of endocrine glands is delayed. | Exocrine glands, on the other hand, have a quick reaction time since they move through ducts. |
7 | The liver, ovaries, pancreas, thyroid gland, testes, thalamus gland, pineal gland, and pituitary gland are all examples of endocrine glands. | Exocrine glands, on the other hand, include breast glands, salivary glands, and sebaceous glands. |
Conclusion
Exocrine glands are classified into subtypes based on how they secrete, the substance they produce, or the form of the gland. Exocrine glands are a subset of the endocrine system. The products produced by the exocrine glands are discharged into the environment (for example, on the skin or in the mouth) rather than into the bloodstream. Exocrine glands include the following: Salivary, sweat, mammary, sebaceous, lacrimal. The main function of the exocrine glands in the human body varies, it depends on the location of the exocrine gland and organ system.
