gland

A gland is a cell or an organ in an animal's body that produces and secretes different substances that the organism needs, either into the bloodstream or into a body cavity or outer surface. A gland may also function to remove unwanted substances such as urine from the body.

AI overview

A gland is a part of your body that makes and releases substances your body needs, such as hormones or sweat, either directly into your bloodstream or onto your skin and other surfaces. Glands also help remove waste products like urine from your body.

AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.

Key facts

Anatomy.Name: Gland
Anatomy.Latin: glandula
Anatomy.Image: Gray1026.png
Anatomy.Caption: Human submandibular gland. At the right is a group of mucous acini, at the left a group of serous acini.

via Wikipedia infobox

Wikidata facts

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Commons category: Glands
native label: glandula

Sources (3)

via Wikidata · CC0

~5 min read

Article

8 sections

Contents

Structure
Development
Types of glands
Endocrine glands
Exocrine glands
Clinical significance
References
External links

There are two types of gland, each with a different method of secretion. Endocrine glands are ductless and secrete their products, hormones, directly into interstitial spaces to be taken up into the bloodstream. Exocrine glands secrete their products through a duct into a body cavity or outer surface.