CLASSIFICATION OF EXOCRINE GLANDS – 2
An important criterion for classifying exocrine glands concerns the shape of the secretory portion.
Follow the figure.
A and B – if the secretory unit is tubule-shaped, the gland is called tubulous gland.
C – the same name is used even if the gland does not have an excretory duct, meaning that the tubule itself secretes and conducts the secretion to the outside of the gland.
D – Simple branched tubular gland (a single duct with a branched tubular secretory unit).
E- Compound tubular gland (tubular secretory portions and branched duct).
F- Coiled tubular gland (this is the case of the sweat gland, already shown as an example of a tubule sectioned several times – https://mol-en.icb.usp.br/index.php/1-17-basic-concepts/
G- when the secretory unit is spherical or oval, it is an acinar gland, also called alveolar gland.
H- Compound acinar gland – with a branched duct.
I- Mixed tubulo-acinar gland – some secretory portions are acini and other are tubules.
Later on we will see that some types of glands are also classified according to the morphology and function of their cells.
Follow the figure.
A and B – if the secretory unit is tubule-shaped, the gland is called tubulous gland.
C – the same name is used even if the gland does not have an excretory duct, meaning that the tubule itself secretes and conducts the secretion to the outside of the gland.
D – Simple branched tubular gland (a single duct with a branched tubular secretory unit).
E- Compound tubular gland (tubular secretory portions and branched duct).
F- Coiled tubular gland (this is the case of the sweat gland, already shown as an example of a tubule sectioned several times – https://mol-en.icb.usp.br/index.php/1-17-basic-concepts/
G- when the secretory unit is spherical or oval, it is an acinar gland, also called alveolar gland.
H- Compound acinar gland – with a branched duct.
I- Mixed tubulo-acinar gland – some secretory portions are acini and other are tubules.
Later on we will see that some types of glands are also classified according to the morphology and function of their cells.
