The spelling of the word "ductus sudoriferus" can be explained using IPA phonetic transcription. The word is pronounced as /ˈdʌktəs ˌsuːdəʊˈrɪfərəs/. The IPA phonemes represented by these symbols are: /d/ for the first consonant, /ʌ/ for the first vowel, /k/ for the second consonant, /t/ for the third consonant, and so on. The word "ductus sudoriferus" refers to the sweat ducts in the skin, which are responsible for secreting sweat to regulate body temperature.
Ductus sudoriferus, commonly known as sweat ducts, refers to the minuscule tubular structures present in the skin that are responsible for carrying sweat from the sweat glands to the surface of the skin. The term "ductus" originates from the Latin word meaning "duct" or "passageway," while "sudoriferus" is derived from Latin and translates to "sweat-bearing."
The human body contains millions of sweat glands, primarily in the skin, which play a vital role in thermoregulation by excreting sweat. The process of sweating aids in regulating body temperature by cooling the body when it becomes overheated due to environmental factors, physical activity, or emotional stress. The ductus sudoriferus are responsible for facilitating this cooling process by transporting sweat, composed of water, electrolytes, and waste products, to the skin's surface.
These ducts are significantly thin and extend from the sweat glands, situated in the deeper layers of the skin, to the epidermis, the outermost layer. Within the epidermis, the sweat ducts terminate, releasing sweat through tiny openings on the skin's surface called pores. The ductus sudoriferus also act as a barrier against potentially harmful substances and microorganisms by secreting a slightly acidic film known as the acid mantle, which inhibits their growth.
Understanding the structure and function of ductus sudoriferus is crucial for medical professionals, dermatologists, and anatomists in diagnosing, managing, and treating various skin conditions. Furthermore, the study of sweat ducts contributes to the comprehension of human physiology, particularly in relation to thermoregulation and maintaining homeostasis.
Sweat duct, the superficial portion of the sweat gland which passes through the corium and epidermis, opening on the surface by the porus sudoriferus.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term "ductus sudoriferus" comes from Latin. "Ductus" means "duct" or "passage", while "sudoriferus" is derived from "sudor" (sweat) and "ferus" (bearing or carrying). Therefore, "ductus sudoriferus" essentially translates to "sweat duct" or "sweat-carrying passage". The word is typically used in medical and anatomical contexts to refer to the sweat ducts in the skin that help in the excretion of perspiration.