What Are Apocrine Glands?

Apocrine sweat glands are sweat glands that are mainly distributed in the axillary, areola, labia majora, umbilical, and perianal areas. They are also called large sweat glands. The secretory part of this sweat gland is thick in diameter and has a large lumen, which also curls into clumps. Its secretion is thicker than ordinary sweat glands. The sacral glands in the external ear canal and the molar glands in the margins of the eyelids are both apocrine sweat glands.

Basic Information

Chinese name

Apocrine sweat glands

Constitute

Secretion and duct

Secretion

The secretion is a thicker emulsion

Function

May play an important role in olfactory communication

Related diseases

Sweaty sweat, apocrine sweat glandular sweat

Apocrine sweat gland formation

The apocrine sweat gland is composed of a secretory part of adipose tissue located deep in the dermis, and a duct opened in the upper part of the hair follicle. The secretory part is a coiled duct composed of a single layer of epithelial cells, which are staggered with myoepithelial cells. The catheter part is composed of myoepithelial cells and double-layer cubic cells. The diameter of the lumen of the catheter is larger than that of the small sweat gland.

Apocrine sweat glands

The glandular secretion of the apocrine sweat glands is affected by sex hormones. The apocrine sweat glands will proliferate and begin to secrete just before puberty. The secretions are thicker emulsions containing proteins, carbohydrates and lipids. The apocrine sweat glands secrete no odor and no bacteria, but after the secretion is decomposed by bacteria, a special odor will be produced. When the secretion is too strong and the smell is too strong, odor will occur.

Apocrine sweat glands

In humans, the function of the apocrine sweat glands is not fully understood and may play an important role in olfactory communication.

Apocrine sweat gland- related diseases

1. Sweat sweat When the secretory sweat is secreted, it is sterile and odorless. The decomposition of bacteria on the skin surface changes the secreted substances, forming a typical, irritating acid odor and sweat odor, that is, odor sweat.
2. Apocrine sweat glandular sweat refers to the secretion of sweat with pigment, which is a reaction of sweat rich in lipofuscin. Pseudo or exogenous apocrine sweat glands are caused by color-producing bacteria, especially coryneform bacteria, or staining of clothing.