Apocrine sweat glands
Secretory cells
1. Merocrine secretory cells 2. apical accumulation of small secretory granules
Location of apocrine glands
1. associated with hair follicles of - axilla - areolae of breast - pubic region 2. secretory portion located in the deep dermis and hypodermis 3. duct empties into a hair follicle
Control of secretion
1. innervated by sympathetic neurons 2. respond to adrenergic transmitters
Cells of apocrine sweat glands
1. secretory cells 2. Myoepithelial cells 3. duct cells
Structure of apocrine sweat glands
1. simple, coiled tubular gland 2. secretory portion has a wider lumen then eccrine glands
Duct cells
1. stratified cuboidal epithelium (2-3 layers) 2. form short straight duct terminating in a hair follicle
Function of apocrine sweat glands
Produce pheromones (odiferous secretions)
Myoepithelial cells
associated with secretory portion
Origin of apocrine gland
outgrowth of the external root sheath
