What is the Difference Between Eccrine and Apocrine?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Eccrine and apocrine glands are both types of sweat glands, but they have different characteristics and functions:
Eccrine Sweat Glands:
- Found all over the body.
- Secrete a thin, watery sweat that helps cool the skin.
- Open directly onto the skin's surface.
- Are simple, coiled, tubular glands.
- Discharge a fluid secretion without loss of cytoplasmic material.
- Considered histologically as merocrine glands.
Apocrine Sweat Glands:
- Develop in areas with many hair follicles, such as on the scalp, armpits, and groin.
- Open into the hair follicle, leading to the surface of the skin.
- Play a role in body odor and the release of pheromones.
- Share features of both holocrine and merocrine glands, with the luminal secretory cells forming protuberances that rupture and discharge into the lumen.
- Discharge a fluid secretion with loss of cytoplasmic material.
In summary, eccrine glands are found all over the body and secrete a watery sweat to cool the skin, while apocrine glands are found in areas with many hair follicles and play a role in body odor and pheromone release.
On this pageWhat is the Difference Between Eccrine and Apocrine? Comparative Table: Eccrine vs Apocrine
Comparative Table: Eccrine vs Apocrine
Eccrine and apocrine sweat glands are both types of sweat glands, but they have distinct differences in their structure, function, and distribution. Here is a table summarizing the differences between eccrine and apocrine sweat glands:
Feature | Eccrine Sweat Glands | Apocrine Sweat Glands |
---|---|---|
Distribution | Occur over most of the body | Open into the hair follicle |
Structure | Secretory part is narrow | Secretory part is wider |
Storage | Store product in granules within the apical cytoplasm of their cells | Store product in their lumina |
Histology | Simple epithelium lines the secretory segment | The secretory segment is lined by simple epithelium which consists of only one layer of cells |
Function | Cool the skin and maintain temperature | Play a role in pheromone production and odor |
Activity | Not controlled by sex hormones | Controlled by sex hormones and become active at puberty |
Embryology | Originate from the epidermis | Originate from the epidermis |
Read more:
- Merocrine vs Apocrine Sweat Glands
- Merocrine vs Holocrine Glands
- Sebaceous vs Sweat Glands
- Sebum vs Sweat
- Endocrine vs Exocrine
- Endocrine vs Exocrine Glands
- Ceruminous vs Meibomian Glands
- Diaphoresis vs Hyperhidrosis
- Sebaceous Cyst vs Epidermoid Cyst
- Deodorant vs Perfume
- Antiperspirant vs Deodorant
- Stratum Basale vs Stratum Corneum
- Acne vs Eczema
- Epidermis vs Gastrodermis
- Epidermis vs Dermis
- Endocrine vs Paracrine
- Acne vs Herpes
- Hormones vs Pheromones
- Secretion vs Excretion