Apocrine sweat glands

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Apocrine Sweat Glands

Apocrine sweat glands (/əˈprɪkrɪn/; from Greek apo- "away" and krinein- "to separate") are one of the two types of sweat glands found in mammals. They are larger than the other type, eccrine sweat glands, and are found in specific areas of the body, such as the armpits, the areolas of the breasts, and the genital region.

Function

Apocrine sweat glands secrete a thick, viscous fluid into the hair follicle, which is then carried to the skin surface along the hair shaft. This fluid is rich in proteins and lipids, which can be broken down by bacteria on the skin to produce body odor.

Structure

The structure of apocrine sweat glands is different from that of eccrine sweat glands. They are tubular in shape and have a larger lumen, or inner space. The cells that line the lumen are columnar or cuboidal and have a large nucleus.

Development

Apocrine sweat glands begin to develop in the human fetus around the fourth or fifth month of gestation. They remain inactive until puberty, when they are stimulated by hormonal changes to begin producing sweat.

Related Terms

  • Eccrine sweat glands: The other type of sweat gland found in mammals, which are smaller and more numerous than apocrine sweat glands.
  • Sweat: The fluid produced by sweat glands, which helps to cool the body and eliminate waste products.
  • Hair follicle: The part of the skin that produces hair, and into which apocrine sweat glands secrete their fluid.
  • Puberty: The period of life when the reproductive organs mature and secondary sexual characteristics develop, which is when apocrine sweat glands become active.
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