exocrine gland
(noun)
Any of various glands which secrete via a duct, typically into the digestive tract or onto the skin.
Examples of exocrine gland in the following topics:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Pancreas
- It contains both exocrine cells that excrete digestive enzymes and endocrine cells that release hormones.
- It is sometimes referred to as a heterocrine gland because it has both endocrine and exocrine functions.
- As an endocrine gland, the pancreas produces several important hormones,such as insulin and glucagon, which are secreted into the bloodstream to regulate blood sugar levels, along with other activities throughout the body.
- It is both an endocrine and exocrine gland.
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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.
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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.
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Male Reproductive Anatomy
- The bulk of the semen comes from the accessory glands associated with the male reproductive system, including the seminal vesicles, the prostate gland, and the bulbourethral gland .
- The glands make a solution that is thick, yellowish, and alkaline.
- The gland is a mixture of smooth muscle and glandular tissue.
- The bulbourethral gland, or Cowper's gland, is an exocrine gland which secretes a clear fluid known as pre-ejaculate that is generated upon sexual arousal.
- This gland releases its secretion prior to the release of the bulk of the semen.
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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.
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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.
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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.