Merocrine Glands: Functions, Mechanisms and Importance in Body Temperature Regulation

Merocrine Gland

Forms its secretory products and discharges them by exocytosis. Sweat Glands

A merocrine gland, also known as eccrine gland, is a type of gland that secretes its products through exocytosis. This gland is found in most tissues of the body and is particularly abundant in the skin, where it helps regulate body temperature.

The secretory cells of the gland produce and store their products in the form of secretory vesicles. When a signal is received, the vesicles are released by exocytosis and the secretion is delivered to the surface of the epithelium or into a duct system. This process does not result in any loss of cytoplasm or damage to the secretory cells.

Merocrine glands are distinct from apocrine glands and holocrine glands. While both apocrine and holocrine glands also secrete their products, they do so in different ways. Apocrine glands shed their secretory products into the lumen of a duct, along with some of the cytoplasm of the secretory cells. Holocrine glands release their secretory products by rupturing the entire cell, which causes the contents of the gland to be discharged.

Overall, merocrine glands play an essential role in a number of physiological processes, including thermoregulation, secretion of sweat, and lubrication of mucous membranes. Dysfunction of merocrine glands can result in conditions such as anhidrosis (inability to sweat) or hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating).

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