Synonym(s)
DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.
Exocrine tubular glands, which are found in:
- apocrine sweat glands
- and
- eccrine sweat glands
- (see Table 1).
In addition to these two basic sweat gland "types", there is an intermediate axillary sweat gland type with morphological and functional features of both eccrine and apocrine glands (Sato K et al. 1987). This apoecrine type develops with the onset of puberty as a mixed form of apocrine and eccrine glands.
The eccrine (free) sweat glands produce sweat for thermoregulation. Their number is 2-3 million, on average 140-350/cm2 are detected. In descending order, the density is highest in the palmae and plantae, on the head, trunk and extremities. The eccrine sweat glands respond to thermal, emotional and gustatory stimuli. In the latter two cases, sweating remains confined to specific areas of the skin.
The apocrine (follicle-bound) sweat glands (axillae, inguinal region, circumanal, on the face, especially in the nasolabial folds) produce a lipid-containing, cloudy, weakly viscous sweat with endogenous fragrances, see also sweat gland disorders.
LiteratureThis section has been translated automatically.
- Fiedler HP (1991) The physiology of perspiration. Medical cosmetology 21:161-173
TablesThis section has been translated automatically.
Apocrine and eccrine sweat glands
Apocrine sweat glands |
Eccrine sweat glands |
|
Synonym |
Glandulae sudoriferae majores |
Glandulae sudoriferae minores |
Development |
Rungs laterally from the hair germ into the supraseboglandular hair follicle |
Emergence from the endocrine sweat gland germ |
Estuary |
Into the supraseboglandular hair follicles |
At the epidermal surface |
Lumen |
Wide: 200 μm |
Eng: 20 μm |
Full secretary |
Little |
Much |
Control system |
Hormonal, from puberty |
Thermal and emotional |
Odour |
Body's own fragrances |
Totally odourless |
Function |
Animal: Control of sexual behaviour and territory marking. |
Thermoregulation/ excretion |
Human: Atavistic or unknown. | ||
Localization |
Especially underarms, perimamillary, periumbilical, regio pubis, regio anogenitalis. Only sporadically on head and trunk. |
On the whole integument (about 2-3 million). Especially on soles of feet, palms of hands and forehead. |
Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer
