Definition
noun, plural: merocrine glands
A type of exocrine gland in which the secretory products are released without resulting any damage to the cell
Supplement
Exocrine glands can be classified according to how their products are released from the secretory cell:
- apocrine gland
- merocrine gland
- holocrine gland
Merocrine glands, such as salivary glands, pancreatic glands, and eccrine sweat glands, are comprised of secretory cells that excrete products through exocytosis (into the epithelial-walled ducts and then to lumen) without causing any damage or loss in the secretory cell.
Word origin: mero– (partial) + krinein (to separate) + gland
Compare:
See also:
- eccrine gland
