Definition
noun, plural: holocrine glands
A gland releasing a secretion consisting of disintegrated cells and their secretory products into the lumen
Supplement
The secretion of a holocrine gland is made up of secretory products formed inside the cell, which are released when the plasma membrane ruptures. Thus, the holocrine secretion contains both the disintegrated cells and their contents. An example of holocrine gland is the sebaceous gland of the skin.
Word origin: Greek krinein (to separate)
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