Glands are small openings that are distributed throughout the human body. They produce hormones, sweat or secretions that are normally completely odorless. In addition, sweat glands can also secrete a smelly odor, which is crucial for sexual behavior. These types of glands form during puberty and regress after it ends.

The glands can become diseased or damaged from birth. Then there is a lack of or excessive sweating . This can lead to abscesses and infections that need to be surgically opened. Damage to the endocrine glands can lead to serious psychological problems.

Anatomy & Structure

The glands in the human body can be divided into several groups. On the one hand there are the eccrine sweat glands, which are located below the epidermis . They are about 0.4 mm in size and can be found all over the body.In addition, each individual gland is surrounded by a membrane. On the other hand, there are the apocrine sweat glands, which are closely connected to the hair follicles and are significantly larger than the eccrine glands. They are about 3-5 mm in size and are located in the subcutaneous tissue. The apocrine glands are formed during puberty and are also known as the scent glands because the sweat they secrete has a distinctive odor.

The endocrine glands are responsible for the production of hormones. They send the hormones produced into the bloodstream via osmosis or diffusion. They are similar in structure to the eccrine glands. Finally, there are the exocrine glands, which are also found throughout the body. The mammary gland is an exocrine gland, just like the prostate , the salivary glands or the sebaceous and sweat glands. The production of liver and bile is also controlled by the exocrine glands.

Humans have millions of glands spread all over the body. Fewer glands appear in some regions. For example on the thighs and on the forearms. Most sweat glands are located under the armpits, around the genitals, and on the soles of the feet.

Function & Tasks

The glands have several jobs. The eccrine glands are responsible for regulating body temperature. If the outside temperature rises, more sweat is produced in order to cool down the body and thus the organism, if it falls, the glands close and goosebumps appear.

Regardless of how much sweat the glands produce for this purpose, it is completely odorless. The eccrine glands secrete sweat, which consists of water, table salt, fatty acids, and various nitrogenous substances. In addition, the sweat contains antibacterial substances that keep the pH of the skin at an optimal level. The body thus detoxifies itself, regulates the temperature and nourishes the skin through the release of sweat.

The apocrine glands are responsible for other tasks. They give off certain scents that shape individual body odor and play an important role in social and sexual behavior. Nowadays the smell is masked by deodorants, but the transmission still takes place. Apocrine sweat glands are only found in certain parts of the body. For example in the genital area and in the armpit.

The job of the endocrine glands is the production of hormones. They control physical and mental health and well-being, are responsible for feelings and their regulation and have various other purposes.

Diseases & Ailments

The glands on the human body are extremely resistant to diseases. Nevertheless, health problems can arise if there is an over- or under-function. If there is no sweat production at all, this is also referred to as anhidrosis .This disease, which can be genetic or caused by injury, leads to more extensive problems. This leads to difficulties in thermoregulation, which can lead to circulatory problems . Excessive sweating is usually very uncomfortable for those affected. It is accompanied by a noticeable body odor and leads to stress , which in turn triggers the production of sweat.

However, the doctor can counteract this so-called hyperhidrosis by sclerosing the sweat glands. As a result, excessive sweating does not occur even at high temperatures.

In the area of ​​the hormonal glands, increased or reduced production can lead to or promote mental illness. If the thyroid glands are affected, this leads to a weakening of the entire organism.