The correct spelling of the word "sweat gland" is /swɛt ɡlænd/. The first word is spelled with the letters s-w-e-a-t, representing the sound /swɛt/ in IPA notation. The second word starts with the letter g and ends with a consonant cluster: the letters l-a-n-d, which represent the sound /ɡlænd/. This word refers to a type of gland in the human body that produces sweat, and it plays an important role in regulating body temperature.
A sweat gland refers to a small, specialized gland found in the skin of mammals that secretes sweat as a way of regulating body temperature. Sweat glands are categorized into two main types: eccrine glands and apocrine glands.
Eccrine sweat glands are the most common type and are responsible for regulating body temperature. They are found all over the body, primarily in the palms, soles of the feet, and forehead. These glands produce a watery sweat that evaporates on the skin's surface, thereby cooling the body. Eccrine sweat glands are active throughout the day and are not associated with odor production.
Apocrine sweat glands, on the other hand, are concentrated in specific areas such as the armpits and genital region. These glands are not involved in temperature regulation and are activated during times of emotional stress or sexual excitement. Their secretions are thicker and have a different chemical makeup, often leading to the development of body odor when combined with bacteria on the skin.
Sweat glands play a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis, preventing overheating, and eliminating waste products. By secreting sweat, these glands help to cool the body down, as the evaporation of sweat from the skin's surface removes excess heat. Additionally, sweat gland secretions contribute to the maintenance of the skin's pH balance and act as a protective barrier against pathogens and harmful substances.
• Sudoriferous g.
• One of the tubular coil-glands in the corium and subcutaneous connective tissue, secreting sweat; glandula sudoripara.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "sweat" originated from the Old English word "swætan", which means "to become moist or perspire". It has Germanic roots and is related to the Old High German word "sweiz". The term "gland" comes from the Latin word "glandula", meaning "small organ". Therefore, "sweat gland" combines the English word for perspiration with the Latin word for a small organ, referring to the specific type of organ responsible for producing sweat in the body.