Gland
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2008-07-02T21:32:15Z
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{{Wiktionary|gland}}
[[Image:Gray1026.png|thumb|Human submaxillary gland. At the right is a group of mucous alveoli, at the left a group of serous alveoli.]]
{{otheruses}}
A '''gland''' is an [[Organ (anatomy)|organ]] in an animal's body that synthesizes a substance for release such as [[hormones]] or [[breast milk]], often into the [[blood]]stream ([[endocrine gland]]) or into cavities inside the body or its outer surface ([[exocrine gland]]).
== Types ==
Glands can be divided into two groups:
* '''[[Endocrine]] glands''' — are glands that secrete their product directly onto a surface rather than through a duct.
* '''[[Exocrine]] glands''' — secrete their products via a duct, the glands in this group can be divided into three groups:
** '''[[Apocrine]] glands''' — a portion of the secreting [[cell (biology)|cell]]'s body is lost during secretion. ''Apocrine gland'' is often used to refer to the [[sweating|apocrine sweat glands]], however it is thought that apocrine sweat glands may not be true apocrine glands as they may not use the apocrine method of secretion.
** '''[[Holocrine]] glands''' — the entire cell disintegrates to secrete its substances (e.g., sebaceous glands)
** '''[[Merocrine]] glands''' — cells secrete their substances by [[exocytosis]] (e.g., mucous and serous glands). Also called "[[eccrine]]."
The type of secretory product of an [[Exocrine]] gland may also be one of three categories:
* '''[[Serous]] glands''' — secrete a watery, often protein-rich product.
* '''[[Mucous]] glands''' — secrete a viscous product, rich in carbohydrates (e.g., glycoproteins).
* '''[[Sebaceous]] glands''' — secrete a lipid product.
==Formation==
Every gland is formed by an ingrowth from an [[epithelium|epithelial]] surface. This ingrowth may from the beginning possess be a tubular structure, but in other instances glands may start as a solid column of cells which subsequently becomes tubulated.
As growth proceeds, the column of cells may divide or give off offshoots, in which case a compound gland is formed. In many glands the number of branches is limited, in others (salivary, pancreas) a very large structure is finally formed by repeated growth and sub-division. As a rule, the branches do not unite with one another, but in one instance, the liver, this does occur when a reticulated compound gland is produced. In compound glands the more typical or secretory epithelium is found forming the terminal portion of each branch, and the uniting portions form ducts and are lined with a less modified type of epithelial cell.
Glands are classified according to their shape.
* If the gland retains its shape as a tube throughout it is termed a [[tubular gland]].
* In the second main variety of gland the secretory portion is enlarged and the [[lumen]] variously increased in size. These are termed [[alveolar gland|alveolar]] or saccular glands.
==Specific glands==
A list of human ''exocrine glands'' is available [[Exocrine_gland#List_of_exocrine_glands|here]].
A list of human ''endocrine glands'' is available [[Endocrine_system#Endocrine_glands_and_the_hormones_secreted|here]].
== Crypts of Lieberkuhn ==
The [[Crypts of Lieberkuhn]] in the lower gastrointestinal tract are also referred to as "glands."
==Additional images==
<gallery>
Image:Gray1025.png|Section of [[submaxillary gland]] of kitten. Duct semidiagrammatic.
Image:Gray1105.png|Section of [[pancreas]] of dog. X 250.
Image:Gray1172.png|Dissection of a lactating [[breast]].
Image:Gray1173.png|Section of portion of [[Breast|mamma]].
Image:Apocrine.jpg|Apocrine
Image:Drüse Kopie.jpg|Methods of secretion
</gallery>
==References==
*{{1911}}
{{Glands}}
[[Category:Endocrine system]]
[[Category:Exocrine system]]
[[Category:Glands|*]]
[[ar:غدة]]
[[bg:Жлеза]]
[[ca:Glàndula]]
[[cs:Žláza]]
[[da:Kirtel]]
[[de:Drüse]]
[[el:Αδένας]]
[[es:Glándula]]
[[eo:Glando]]
[[eu:Guruin]]
[[fa:غده]]
[[fr:Glande]]
[[gl:Glándula]]
[[id:Kelenjar]]
[[ia:Glandula]]
[[it:Ghiandola]]
[[he:בלוטה]]
[[pam:Gland]]
[[la:Glandula]]
[[lt:Liauka]]
[[mk:Жлезда]]
[[nl:Klier]]
[[ja:腺]]
[[no:Kjertel]]
[[nn:Kjertel]]
[[pl:Gruczoł]]
[[pt:Glândula]]
[[ro:Glandă]]
[[scn:Ghiànnula]]
[[simple:Gland]]
[[sk:Žľaza]]
[[sl:Žleza]]
[[sr:Жлезда]]
[[fi:Rauhanen]]
[[sv:Körtel]]
[[ta:சுரப்பி]]
[[te:గ్రంధి]]
[[tr:Bez]]
[[uk:Залоза]]
[[yi:גלענד]]
[[zh:腺体]]