- What Are Exocrine Glands?
- Structure of Exocrine Glands
- Types of Exocrine Glands (Based on Structure)
- Types of Exocrine Glands (Based on How They Release Products)
- Examples of Exocrine Glands
- Functions of Exocrine Glands
- Importance of Exocrine Glands
- Disorders Related to Exocrine Glands
- Summary
- FAQs on Exocrine Glands
Exocrine Glands
By Swati Singh
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Updated on 21 Apr 2025, 16:40 IST
Our body is made up of many different types of glands. Glands are special organs that produce and release substances. These substances help in different body functions like digestion, sweating, and keeping the skin healthy.
There are two main types of glands:
- Endocrine glands (release hormones into the blood)
- Exocrine glands (release substances onto a surface or into a hollow organ)
In this article, we will focus on Exocrine Glands — what they are, how they work, and why they are important.
What Are Exocrine Glands?
Exocrine glands are glands that send their products out through a duct (a small tube) either onto the surface of the body (like the skin) or into the inside of an organ (like the stomach).
They are different from endocrine glands because endocrine glands send their products directly into the blood without any ducts.
Key points about exocrine glands:
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- They have ducts.
- They release enzymes, sweat, saliva, and other substances.
- They work in places like the skin, mouth, stomach, and intestines.
Also Check: Chromosomes | Excretion Definition
Structure of Exocrine Glands
Exocrine glands have a simple structure that can be divided into two parts:
- Secretory part: This is where the gland makes the substance (like sweat or saliva).
- Duct: This is the tube that carries the substance to where it is needed.
Some glands have a single duct (simple glands), and some have a branched duct (compound glands).
Types of Exocrine Glands (Based on Structure)
- Unicellular Glands
- Made up of just one cell.
- Example: Goblet cells (found in the intestines and respiratory system) which produce mucus.
- Multicellular Glands
- Made up of many cells.
- They can have different shapes:
- Tubular glands (tube-shaped)
- Alveolar or acinar glands (sac-shaped)
Types of Exocrine Glands (Based on How They Release Products)
Exocrine glands can also be classified by how they release their products:
- Merocrine Glands
- Release their product without any damage to the gland cells.
- Example: Salivary glands, sweat glands.
- Apocrine Glands
- A small part of the cell breaks off along with the product.
- Example: Mammary glands (milk production).
- Holocrine Glands
- The entire cell breaks apart to release the product.
- Example: Sebaceous glands (oil glands of the skin).
Examples of Exocrine Glands
Here are some important examples of exocrine glands and what they do:
| Gland | Product Released | Function |
| Sweat glands | Sweat | Cools the body |
| Salivary glands | Saliva | Helps in digestion and keeps mouth moist |
| Sebaceous glands | Oil (sebum) | Keeps skin and hair moisturized |
| Mammary glands | Milk | Provides nutrition to babies |
| Lacrimal glands | Tears | Keep eyes moist |
| Gastric glands | Digestive juices (like HCl) | Help in breaking down food |
| Pancreas (partly exocrine) | Digestive enzymes | Help in digestion of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates |
Functions of Exocrine Glands
Exocrine glands are very important for maintaining the health of our body. Their main functions include:
- Protection
- Oil from sebaceous glands protects the skin.
- Mucus traps dust and germs in the respiratory tract.
- Temperature Control
- Sweat glands help cool the body when it gets too hot.
- Digestion
- Salivary glands, pancreas, and gastric glands release substances that help digest food.
- Lubrication
- Saliva, mucus, and tears keep the body’s surfaces moist and comfortable.
- Nourishment
- Mammary glands provide milk to feed newborn babies.
Importance of Exocrine Glands
Without exocrine glands, many basic body functions would not work properly:
- Our body would overheat without sweat.
- We could not digest food properly without digestive enzymes.
- Our skin would become dry and cracked without oil.
- Our eyes would dry out without tears.
- Babies would not get natural milk without mammary glands.
Thus, these glands are essential for everyday life.
Disorders Related to Exocrine Glands
Sometimes, exocrine glands do not work properly. This can cause health problems, such as:
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Thick mucus is made instead of normal thin mucus, blocking airways and digestive organs.
- Acne
- Happens when sebaceous glands produce too much oil and the pores get blocked.
- Dry Eye Syndrome
- Lacrimal glands do not produce enough tears.
- Sweat Gland Disorders
- Some people cannot sweat properly, which can cause overheating.
Doctors can treat many of these problems with medicines or special care.
Summary
Exocrine glands are amazing workers inside our body. They use ducts to send helpful substances to the right places.
- They help us digest food, stay cool, keep our skin healthy, and even feed babies.
- Their structure can be simple or complex, but their role is very important.
- Even though they work silently, they are crucial for a healthy life.
If exocrine glands are not working properly, it can cause problems. Therefore, taking care of our health also means taking care of these tiny glands inside us!
FAQs on Exocrine Glands
What are exocrine glands?
Exocrine glands are special glands in the body that release substances through small tubes called ducts. These substances can go onto the surface of the body (like sweat on the skin) or into hollow organs (like digestive juices into the stomach).
How are exocrine glands different from endocrine glands?
Exocrine glands use ducts to send their products outside or into organs.
Endocrine glands release hormones directly into the blood without using ducts.
What substances do exocrine glands produce?
Exocrine glands produce many important substances, such as:
Sweat
Saliva
Oil (sebum)
Milk
Tears
Digestive juices
Can you give some examples of exocrine glands?
Yes! Some examples include:
Sweat glands (produce sweat)
Salivary glands (produce saliva)
Sebaceous glands (produce oil for skin)
Mammary glands (produce milk)
Lacrimal glands (produce tears)
Pancreas (exocrine part) (produces digestive enzymes)
What are the types of exocrine glands based on secretion method?
There are three types:
Merocrine glands: Release their products without harming the cell (e.g., sweat glands).
Apocrine glands: A small part of the cell breaks off with the product (e.g., mammary glands).
Holocrine glands: The whole cell bursts to release its product (e.g., sebaceous glands).
What is the function of sweat glands?
Sweat glands help cool the body by releasing sweat. When sweat evaporates from the skin, it cools us down.
What do sebaceous glands do?
Sebaceous glands produce an oily substance called sebum. Sebum keeps the skin and hair soft, moisturized, and protected.
How do salivary glands help in digestion?
Salivary glands make saliva, which:
Moistens food
Contains enzymes that start breaking down starch (a type of carbohydrate)
This makes it easier for us to chew and digest food.
What happens if exocrine glands do not work properly?
If exocrine glands have problems, it can cause issues like:
Cystic fibrosis (thick mucus blocks organs)
Acne (too much oil blocks skin pores)
Dry eyes (lacrimal glands don't produce enough tears)
Heat problems (sweat glands don't cool the body properly)
Is the pancreas an exocrine gland?
Yes, partly!
The pancreas has both:
Exocrine function (releases digestive enzymes into the small intestine)
Endocrine function (releases insulin and other hormones into the blood)
What are unicellular and multicellular exocrine glands?
Unicellular glands: Made of only one cell (e.g., goblet cells that make mucus).
Multicellular glands: Made of many cells and often have ducts (e.g., salivary glands).
Why are exocrine glands important?
Exocrine glands are very important because they:
Help digest food
Protect and cool the body
Keep skin and eyes healthy
Nourish babies through milk