Glands of Skin

Glands of Skin

    Skin is largest organ of body. It is outer most covering of human body . It protect the underling muscles, bone, ligaments and internal organs.It is composed of the superficial layer the epidermis and a layer deeper to it known as dermis . 

    Two types of glands are present in the skin over most of the body . These are sweat gland and sebaceous glands. 

Skin glands

Sweat Gland : The sweat gland and their duct derived epidermis . They are abundance in palm, sole axilla, groins. There are two types of sweat glands. 

1. Apocrine glands : Present in the skin in the region of axilla, and groin region . They are produced and pour viscous , cloudy, and odourous secretion into the hair follicle. They begin secreting at puberty, The sweat they produce is acted upon by bacteria causing noticeable . 
2. Merocrine  Glands : They are present in the skin all over the body except at a place  where apocrine sweat gland are present. Mammary glands (breasts ) and ceruminous gland (wax produsing gland in ears) are modified sweat glands.  



Microscopic view of sweat gland

Functions of sweat gland : 

• Thermoregulation : Sweat cools the surface of the skin and hence take part in reducing the temperature of the body.
• Excretions : Sweat gland can provide best route for the excretion of water and electrolytes. 
• Protections : Merocrine sweat glands provide protection from the environment hazards by diluting chemicals and discouraging the growth of micro-organisms .

Sebaceous glands : They are the small glands produce oily secretions called sebum. These secretions are poured into the hair follicles. they lubricates the skin and hairs . Although in skin of entire body , they are present in abundance in the skin of face and scalp. They are absent in the skin of palm and soles.  

Sebaceous Glands