apocrine

adj.
Relating to a type of glandular secretion in which the apical portion of the secreting cell is released along with the secretory products.

[Probably from Greek apokrīnein, to set apart : apo-, apo- + krīnein, to separate.]

(ăp'ə-krĭn, -krīn', -krēn')
adj.

Of or relating to an apocrine gland or its secretions.

n.

The apocrine gland.

Denoting that type of glandular mechanism in which the secretory products become concentrated at the free end of the secreting cell and are thrown off along with a portion of the cytoplasm, as in the mammary gland; cf. holocrine and merocrine.

• a. cystic calcinosis — see calcinosis circumscripta.
• a. cystic dilatation — a relatively common finding in dog skin; may be associated with hyperplasia of glandular epithelium or secondary to duct obstruction.
• a. cystomatosis — see apocrine gland cyst (below).
• a. gland cyst — cystic hyperplasia of apocrine sweat glands; common in dogs. Often multiple and called apocrine cystomatosis.
• a. sweat gland — the most abundant type of sweat gland in domestic animals and part of the hair follicle complex; found in haired skin and specialized regions such as the anal sacs. Under sympathetic nervous control and produce sweat by a merocrine mechanism (despite the name) which, in normal quantities, contributes to a protective film on the skin. Specialized apocrine sweat glands are located in the external ear canal and eyelids. Inflammation is called hidradenitis.
• a. tumors — cystic or papillary adenomas and papillary or tubular carcinomas occur, particularly in dogs and cats. See also anal sacs tumor.

Note: click on a word meaning below to see its connections and related words.

The adjective has one meaning:

Meaning #1: (of exocrine glands) producing a secretion in which part of the secreting cell is released with the secretion
  Antonym: eccrine (meaning #1)

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