{"id":2725,"date":"2023-07-16T14:00:54","date_gmt":"2023-07-16T19:00:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/claremontcoloniccenter.com\/?p=2725"},"modified":"2023-09-10T08:35:05","modified_gmt":"2023-09-10T13:35:05","slug":"elle-sez-series-know-your-body-the-exocrine-system","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/claremontcoloniccenter.com\/?p=2725","title":{"rendered":"Elle Sez Series: Know Your Body – The Exocrine System"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Elle Sez Series: Know Your Body - The Exocrine System<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\tYour exocrine system includes a series of glands all over your body. These glands secrete substances that help your organs function, including sweat, breast milk, mucus and oil. Your exocrine system is different from your endocrine system, in that it secretes these substances through ducts. Conditions that affect your exocrine system include cancer, inflammation and hair loss.<\/b><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\tOverview

\nWhat is the exocrine system? <\/b>

\n\nYour exocrine system consists of glands all over your body that carry out many functions. It\u2019s part of your autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary actions supporting your well-being.

\n\nGlands are tiny organs that secrete substances that trigger certain biologic processes. For example, your salivary glands produce saliva to keep your mouth moist.

\nWhat is the difference between the endocrine and exocrine systems?

\n\n
  • Your endocrine system: <\/b> Endocrine glands secrete hormones and release them directly into your bloodstream. Your bloodstream then delivers hormones to target tissues. <\/li>
  • \nYour exocrine system: <\/b>Exocrine glands secrete substances into ducts, which carry the substances onto the surface of target tissues. <\/li><\/ul>

    \nWhat areas of the body do the exocrine glands support? <\/b>

    \n\nExocrine glands control specific functions in your:

    \n\n
    • Breasts. <\/li>
    • \n Mouth, specifically, saliva production. <\/li>
    • \n Pancreas. <\/li>
    • \n Skin and hair. <\/li>
    • \n Small intestine (duodenum). <\/li><\/ul>

      \n\nFunction

      \nWhat is the function of the exocrine system? <\/b>

      \n\nExocrine system glands take on a variety of functions.

      \n\n
      • Mammary glands <\/b>produce milk. <\/li>
      • \n Mucinous glands <\/b>produce mucus to line and protect delicate tissue. <\/li>
      • \n Sebaceous glands <\/b>produce an oily substance on the surface of your hair and skin. <\/li>
      • \n Serous glands <\/b>produce watery substances, such as sweat and saliva. <\/li><\/ul>

        \n\nWhat are the functions of the exocrine system glands? <\/b>

        \n\nExocrine system glands serve many essential functions based on their location:\n
        • Breasts<\/b> <\/li><\/ul>

          \n\nMammary glands, which are modified serous glands, support breastfeeding (chestfeeding). They produce milk that nourishes babies and boosts their immune systems.

          \n\nMouth<\/b>

          \n\n
          • Serous glands produce saliva in many areas of your mouth. Saliva lubricates and protects your mouth and throat. It also initiates the digestive process by breaking down carbohydrates. <\/li>
          • \nMucinous glands are also present in your mouth and play a role in lubricating the substances you swallow. <\/li><\/ul>

            \n\nPancreas<\/b>

            \n\nYour pancreas functions as both an exocrine and endocrine gland.

            \n\n
            • As an exocrine gland, <\/b>it releases substances that neutralize stomach acid. It also secretes digestive enzymes that break down proteins, fats and carbohydrates. <\/li>
            • \nAs an endocrine gland, <\/b> your pancreas secretes hormones, insulin and glucagon, that regulate blood sugar levels. <\/li><\/ul>

              \nSkin and hair<\/b>

              \n\n
              • Serous glands help you sweat. There are two types of sweat glands. Eccrine sweat glands are in nearly every area of your skin\u2019s surface. Apocrine sweat glands secrete a fatty substance that slows evaporation so sweat keeps you cooler longer. <\/li>
              • \nSebaceous glands secrete oil that produces moisture to protect your skin and hair. <\/li><\/ul>

                \n\nSmall intestine<\/b>

                \n\n
                • Mucosal glands, known as Brunner\u2019s glands, release a substance that protects your small intestine from stomach acid. It also activates enzymes that break down sugars in food and absorbs nutrients. <\/li><\/ul>

                  \n\nAnatomy

                  \nWhat is the anatomy of the exocrine system? <\/b>

                  \n\nThe anatomy of exocrine system glands includes:

                  \n\n
                  • Acinus: <\/b> Tiny sacs containing cells of exocrine system secretions that the duct hasn\u2019t yet released. An acinus may house many different types of cells depending on the type of secretion the duct is responsible for. <\/li>
                  • \nDuct: <\/b> Passageway that transports cell secretions to the inner surfaces of organs throughout your body. <\/li><\/ul>

                    \n\nConditions and Disorders

                    \nWhat conditions and disorders affect the exocrine system? <\/b>

                    \n\nExocrine system diseases and disorders include:

                    \nMammary gland conditions<\/b>

                    \n\n
                    • Breast cancer. <\/li>
                    • \n Breast pain (mastalgia). <\/li>
                    • \n Ductal carcinoma in-situ. <\/li>
                    • \n Fibroadenomas of the breast. <\/li>
                    • \n Mammary duct ectasia. <\/li>
                    • \n Mastitis. <\/li><\/ul>

                      \n\nPancreas gland conditions<\/b>

                      \n\n
                      • Pancreatic cancer, including ductal adenocarcinoma. <\/li>
                      • \n Pancreatitis. <\/li><\/ul>

                        \n\nSalivary gland conditions<\/b>

                        \n\n
                        • Salivary gland cancer. <\/li>
                        • \n Sj\u00f6gren’s syndrome. <\/li><\/ul>

                          \n\nSkin gland conditions<\/b>

                          \n\n
                          • Hormonal acne. <\/li>
                          • \n Hyperhidrosis. <\/li>
                          • \n Body odor (bromhidrosis). <\/li>
                          • \n Hair loss (alopecia). <\/li>
                          • \n Ear wax buildup and blockage. <\/li><\/ul>

                            \n\nSmall intestine conditions<\/b>

                            \n\n
                            • Rare, noncancerous tumors, including Brunner\u2019s gland hamartoma and Brunner\u2019s gland adenoma. <\/li><\/ul>

                              \n\nCare

                              \nHow do I care for my exocrine system? <\/b>

                              \n\nTaking good care of yourself is one of the best ways to keep your exocrine system healthy.

                              \n\nYou can do this by:

                              \n\n
                              • Staying physically active.\n Eating a diet that\u2019s high in protein, fruits and vegetables, but low in saturated fats and processed foods. <\/li>
                              • \n Drinking plenty of water. <\/li>
                              • \n Limiting alcohol consumption. <\/li>
                              • \n Quitting smoking if you use tobacco. <\/li>
                              • \n Seeing your healthcare provider for regular check-ups. <\/li>
                              • \n Staying current with screenings, including mammograms for breast cancer. <\/li><\/ul>

                                \n\nA note from Cleveland Clinic<\/b><\/i>

                                \n\nYour exocrine system includes glands all over your body. They secrete oil, mucus, saliva and milk that aid in organ function. Various conditions can affect your exocrine system, including tumors, inflammation and blockages. Taking good care of yourself can lower the risk of experiencing these issues.


                                \nContributor: ClevelandClinic.org<\/i>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                                Elle Sez Series: Know Your Body – The Exocrine System Your exocrine system includes a series of glands all over your body. These glands secrete substances that help your organs function, including sweat, breast milk, mucus and oil. Your exocrine system is different from your endocrine system, in that it secretes these substances through ducts. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2725","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-health"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/claremontcoloniccenter.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2725","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/claremontcoloniccenter.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/claremontcoloniccenter.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/claremontcoloniccenter.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/claremontcoloniccenter.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2725"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/claremontcoloniccenter.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2725\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2729,"href":"https:\/\/claremontcoloniccenter.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2725\/revisions\/2729"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/claremontcoloniccenter.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2725"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/claremontcoloniccenter.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2725"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/claremontcoloniccenter.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2725"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}