The skin contains two main types of glands: sebaceous glands and sweat glands. These glands are classified based on their product: sebaceous glands secrete sebum, and sweat glands secrete sweat.
Types of Skin Glands
Skin glands are essential for maintaining skin health and performing various functions. They are broadly categorized by the type of secretion they produce.
| Gland Type | Secretion | Primary Function |
|---|---|---|
| Sebaceous Glands | Sebum | Lubricates and waterproofs the skin and hair. |
| Sweat Glands | Sweat | Regulates body temperature and excretes small amounts of waste. |
Sebaceous Glands
- These glands produce sebum, an oily substance.
- Sebum helps to keep the skin and hair moisturized and prevents them from drying out.
- Sebaceous glands are usually associated with hair follicles, meaning they secrete sebum into the follicle, which then travels to the skin's surface.
- An overproduction of sebum can contribute to skin conditions like acne.
Sweat Glands
- These glands produce sweat, a watery fluid containing salts and small amounts of waste products.
- Sweat plays a vital role in thermoregulation—the body's process of maintaining its core temperature.
- There are two main types of sweat glands:
- Eccrine glands: Found all over the body, especially on the forehead, palms, and soles, and responsible for cooling the body through perspiration.
- Apocrine glands: Located in areas with more hair, such as the armpits and groin, and are associated with body odor, as the sweat from these glands interacts with bacteria on the skin.
