Exocrin, which is an adjective, refers to a gland or secretion that releases substances outwardly through ducts onto a surface rather than into the bloodstream. The term comes from the combination of the prefix "exo-", meaning outside, exterior, or beyond, and the word "crin," derived from the Greek word "khrinein," meaning to secrete.
Exocrin glands are a specific type of glandular tissue found in the body. These glands produce and secrete various substances such as enzymes, mucous, sweat, or wax onto a surface or into a cavity through ducts. Unlike endocrine glands, which release hormones directly into the bloodstream, exocrine glands discharge their secretions through ducts that lead to specific target areas, internal or external.
Examples of exocrine glands in the human body include salivary glands, which secrete saliva into the oral cavity via ducts, sweat glands that release sweat onto the skin to regulate body temperature, and mammary glands that produce milk for breastfeeding. Additionally, the sebaceous glands found on the skin secrete sebum, an oily substance that helps keep the skin lubricated and moisturized.
Overall, exocrin denotes a glandular secretion process where substances are released externally through ducts, contributing to various bodily functions such as digestion, temperature regulation, and the production of bodily fluids.
