Exocrine glands

Exocrine Glands
Exocrine glands are glands whose secretions pass into a system of ducts that lead ultimately to the exterior of the body.

exocrine glands
[Gk. ex, out of + krinein, to separate]
Glands, such as sweat glands and digestive glands, that secrete their products into ducts that empty onto surfaces, such as the skin, or into cavities, such as the interior of the stomach.

exocrine glands in animals which secrete scents which either repel or attract other animals, e.g. Perianal glands of skunks, anal glands of weasels, musk glands of foxes, ventral glands of wood rats, and dorsal glands of peccaries.

Cystic fibrosis -- an autosomal recessive genetic condition of the exocrine glands, which causes the body to produce excessively thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and pancreas, interfering with breathing and digestion.

The digestive enzymes are produced by the epithelial cells of exocrine glands or exocrine cells. Exocrine glands have ducts that carry the gland cell products to the site where they are utilized.

The process stimulates exocrine glands in the mouth to release digestive enzymes such as salivary amylase, which aid in the breakdown of food, particularly carbohydrates.

These signals are passed through the blood to arrive at a target organ, which has cells possessing the appropriate receptor. Exocrine glands (not part of the endocrine system) secrete products that are passed outside the body.

Ectosymbiosis, also referred to as exosymbiosis, is any symbiotic relationship in which the symbiont lives on the body surface of the host, including the inner surface of the digestive tract or the ducts of exocrine glands.

Those glands are termed exocrine glands and are not like the glands of your endocrine system. While it may feel a bit slimy, those fluids decrease the pH on the surface of your skin and kill microorganisms.

Hormones travel in blood to glands / in glands, stimulate secretion of digestive juices
GASTRIN stimulates exocrine glands in stomach to release gastric juice
Acids (chyme) from stomach, fatty acids in duodenum stimulate release of SECRETIN ...

See also: Animal, Blood, Organ, Cells, Animals