exocrine glands

• Click on the image to contrast gland features – acinus (red) and duct (yellow)
• Exocrine glands are composed of a cluster of secretory cells forming an acinus
• Exocrine glands


  Produce and secrete substances via a duct onto an epithelial surface
• Exocrine products are released into a duct via secretory vesicles
• Electron Micrograph of an Exocrine Gland
• Ducts may arise from a convergence of smaller ductules connected to an acinus to enhance secretion
• Acini are surrounded by a basement membrane and held together by tight junctions
• Structure of a Typical Exocrine Gland
• Examples of digestive glands

  • Salivary glands secrete saliva containing amylase
  • Gastric glands secrete gastric juices including hydrochloric acid and proteases
  • Pancreatic glands secrete pancreatic juices including lipase, protease, and amylase
  • Intestinal glands secrete intestinal juices via crypts of Lieberkuhn in the intestinal wall
• Secretory cells possess a highly developed ER and golgi network for material secretion and are rich in mitochondria
• Structure of exocrine glands

  • Composed of a cluster of secretory cells forming an acinus, surrounded by a basement membrane, held together by tight junctions, possess a highly developed ER and golgi network, rich in mitochondria, release products into a duct via secretory vesicles
• Exocrine glands secrete to the surface of the body or the lumen of the gut
• Examples of digestive glands

  • Salivary glands - secrete saliva which contains amylase (breaks down starch)
  • Gastric glands - secretes gastric juices which includes hydrochloric acid and proteases (breaks down protein)
  • Pancreatic glands - secretes pancreatic juices which include lipase, protease and amylase
  • Intestinal glands - secretes intestinal juices via crypts of Lieberkuhn in the intestinal wall
• Exocrine gland secretion


  Products are released into a duct, which connects to an epithelial surface, ducts may arise from a convergence of smaller ductules connected to an acinus in order to enhance secretion
• Exocrine glands


  Produce and secrete substances via a duct onto an epithelial surface