SEBACEOUS GLAND Meaning and
Definition
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A sebaceous gland is a small oil-producing gland predominantly found in the skin of mammals. It is responsible for secreting sebum, an oily substance that helps lubricate and waterproof the skin and hair. Sebaceous glands are distributed throughout the body, except for the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
These glands are typically attached to hair follicles and release sebum onto the hair shaft, which then spreads across the skin surface. Sebum plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy skin and hair, as it moisturizes the skin, prevents it from drying out, and keeps the hair strands supple and shiny.
Sebaceous glands are most active during puberty due to hormonal changes, which is often why individuals experience increased sebum production and oily skin during this stage of life. However, the size and activity of these glands can vary among individuals, leading to different skin types, such as normal, dry, oily, or combination skin.
While sebum is essential for skin health, an overproduction or blockage of the sebaceous glands can result in various skin issues. Excessive sebum production may contribute to the development of acne, as the excess oil can clog the pores and promote bacterial growth. On the other hand, if the gland's duct gets blocked, it can lead to the formation of sebaceous cysts or other skin conditions.
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One of the racemose glands of the skin situated in the corium, usually, though not always, in relation with the hair-follicles; they secrete sebum.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for SEBACEOUS GLAND
- aebaceous gland
- zebaceous gland
- xebaceous gland
- debaceous gland
- eebaceous gland
- webaceous gland
- swbaceous gland
- ssbaceous gland
- sdbaceous gland
- srbaceous gland
- s4baceous gland
- s3baceous gland
- sevaceous gland
- senaceous gland
- sehaceous gland
- segaceous gland
- sebzceous gland
- sebsceous gland
- sebwceous gland
Etymology of SEBACEOUS GLAND
The word "sebaceous" comes from the Latin word "sebum", which means "tallow" or "grease". The term "sebaceous gland" was coined from the combination of "sebum" and the Greek word "ἀδένας" (adenas), which means "gland". The sebaceous glands are responsible for producing sebum, an oily substance that lubricates and waterproofs the skin and hair.
Similar spelling words for SEBACEOUS GLAND
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