Gland
Type of animal organ / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the gland in animals. For information specific to plants, see Gland (botany).
For other uses, see Gland (disambiguation).
A gland is a cell or an organ in an animal's body that produces and secretes different substances either into the bloodstream or into a body cavity or outer surface that the organism needs.[1] A gland may also function to remove unwanted substances such as urine from the body.[2]
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Quick Facts Details, Identifiers ...
Gland | |
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Details | |
Identifiers | |
Latin | glandula |
TH | H2.00.02.0.02002 |
Anatomical terminology |
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There are two types of gland each with a different method of secretion. Endocrine glands are ductless and secrete their products, hormones, directly into interstitial spaces to be taken up into the bloodstream. Exocrine glands secrete their products through a duct into a body cavity or outer surface.[2]
Glands are mostly composed of epithelial tissue, and typically have a supporting framework of connective tissue, and a capsule.[2]