sweat gland

n.
Any of the numerous small, tubular glands that are found nearly everywhere in the skin of humans and that secrete perspiration externally through pores to help regulate body temperature.

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A coiled, tubular gland found in mammals. There are two kinds, merocrine or eccrine, and apocrine. The latter are generally associated with hair follicles (see illustration). Merocrine glands are distributed extensively over the body in the human, whereas the apoctine variety is restricted to the scalp, nipples, axilla, external auditory meatus, external genitals, and perianal areas. Apocrine sweat glands are more numerous in mammals, with the exception of the chimpanzee and human, in which the merocrine variety predominates. The mammary glands probably represent modified apocrine sweat glands which grow inward and increase in complexity. See also Gland; Mammary gland.

Human skin showing structure of both eccrine and apocrine sweat glands.

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Coiled tubular glands in the dermis of the skin that secrete sweat onto the skin surface. There are two main types: apocrine glands and eccrine glands. Apocrine glands secrete fatty acids in addition to salts and water. They are less numerous than eccrine glands, occurring mainly in the axillae (arm pits). Apocrine glands are not important in thermoregulation. Eccrine glands are distributed over most of the body surface, but occur in greatest density on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, in the axillae (arm pits), and forehead. They are supplied with sympathetic nerve fibres and play a major role in thermoregulation.

Glands in the skin that secrete sweat.