| Epithelium that is highly
specialized for production and secretion of proteins, lipids,
carbohydrates, and water and electrolytes are typically organized
into organs called glands. Glands are composed mainly of
epithelial cell aggregates clustered together to perform specific
secretory and/or excretory functions.
Here we’ll consider the following
aspects of glandular epithelia:
- Histological features and modes
of secretion of the two main types of glands, exocrine and
endocrine glands.
- Classification of exocrine
glands according to four features:
- The shape of the secretory
portion (alveolar vs. tubular)
- The organization of the duct
system (simple vs. compound)
- The type of secretory
product (serous vs. mucous)
- The mode or mechanism of
cellular secretion (merocrine, apocrine, or holocrine)
So, where do
these glands come from and what makes them up? |
