apocrine gland

noun

: a gland and especially a sweat gland that secretes a viscous fluid into a hair follicle (as in the armpit or groin), is lined with a single layer of usually columnar cells, and typically does not become active until puberty

Note: It is now understood that apocrine glands produce a secretion which lacks cellular material and causes little damage to the secreting cell. While this secretion pattern is more closely related to the merocrine than the apocrine type, these glands continue to be referred to as apocrine glands because of their uniquely characteristic large secretory lumen and milky secretion.

compare eccrine gland

Examples of apocrine gland in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Many furred mammals have apocrine glands, including camels and donkeys, as well as chimpanzees. Jeff Goodell, Time, 6 July 2023 Old World monkeys like macaques have equal parts eccrine and apocrine glands. Jeff Goodell, Time, 6 July 2023 Our closer relatives, chimpanzees and gorillas, bear roughly two eccrine for every one apocrine gland. Bridget Alex, Discover Magazine, 17 Jan. 2019 That type of sweat comes from the apocrine glands, which are located mainly in the underarm and groin. Robert J. Davis, CNN, 28 Feb. 2018 Humans also have apocrine glands, primarily in the armpit and groin. Tim Newcomb, Popular Mechanics, 7 Dec. 2016

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'apocrine gland.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1930, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of apocrine gland was in 1930

Dictionary Entries Near apocrine gland

Cite this Entry

“Apocrine gland.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apocrine%20gland. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!