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Guilherme Mazui

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What is the Difference Between Eccrine and Apocrine?

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Eccrine and apocrine glands are both types of sweat glands, but they have different characteristics and functions:

Eccrine Sweat Glands:

  • Found all over the body.
  • Secrete a thin, watery sweat that helps cool the skin.
  • Open directly onto the skin's surface.
  • Are simple, coiled, tubular glands.
  • Discharge a fluid secretion without loss of cytoplasmic material.
  • Considered histologically as merocrine glands.

Apocrine Sweat Glands:

  • Develop in areas with many hair follicles, such as on the scalp, armpits, and groin.
  • Open into the hair follicle, leading to the surface of the skin.
  • Play a role in body odor and the release of pheromones.
  • Share features of both holocrine and merocrine glands, with the luminal secretory cells forming protuberances that rupture and discharge into the lumen.
  • Discharge a fluid secretion with loss of cytoplasmic material.

In summary, eccrine glands are found all over the body and secrete a watery sweat to cool the skin, while apocrine glands are found in areas with many hair follicles and play a role in body odor and pheromone release.

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  • What is the Difference Between Eccrine and Apocrine?
  • Comparative Table: Eccrine vs Apocrine

    • Comparative Table: Eccrine vs Apocrine

    Eccrine and apocrine sweat glands are both types of sweat glands, but they have distinct differences in their structure, function, and distribution. Here is a table summarizing the differences between eccrine and apocrine sweat glands:

    Feature Eccrine Sweat Glands Apocrine Sweat Glands
    Distribution Occur over most of the body Open into the hair follicle
    Structure Secretory part is narrow Secretory part is wider
    Storage Store product in granules within the apical cytoplasm of their cells Store product in their lumina
    Histology Simple epithelium lines the secretory segment The secretory segment is lined by simple epithelium which consists of only one layer of cells
    Function Cool the skin and maintain temperature Play a role in pheromone production and odor
    Activity Not controlled by sex hormones Controlled by sex hormones and become active at puberty
    Embryology Originate from the epidermis Originate from the epidermis
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    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.