The human body is a complex machine with various organs and systems working together to maintain a healthy balance. One of the lesser-known organs in the human body is the apocrine gland. In this article, we will explore the definition, origin, meaning, associations, synonyms, antonyms, and example sentences of the apocrine gland.
Definitions
The apocrine gland is a type of gland found in the skin, mammary glands, and ear canal. These glands secrete a thick, milky fluid that contains proteins, lipids, and other substances. The apocrine gland is a type of sweat gland, but unlike the eccrine gland, it is not involved in regulating body temperature.
Origin
The word “apocrine” is derived from the Greek words “apo” meaning “away from” and “krinein” meaning “to separate.” The term was first used in the late 19th century by the French anatomist Paul Broca.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the apocrine gland is “a sweat gland that secretes a viscous fluid into a hair follicle, esp. one in the armpit or groin area.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “a gland that secretes a thick, milky fluid into the hair follicles of the skin, especially in the armpits and genital area.”
Associations
The apocrine gland is associated with body odor, as the fluid it secretes is broken down by bacteria on the skin, producing an unpleasant smell. It is also associated with certain medical conditions, such as hidradenitis suppurativa, a chronic skin condition that causes painful, pus-filled cysts to form in the apocrine gland.
Synonyms
Some synonyms for the apocrine gland include:
- Sweat gland.
- Mammary gland.
- Sebaceous gland.
Antonyms
As the apocrine gland is a specific type of gland, there are no true antonyms. However, the eccrine gland, which is involved in regulating body temperature, is often contrasted with the apocrine gland.
The same root words
The root words in “apocrine gland” are “apo” meaning “away from” and “krinein” meaning “to separate.” Other words that use these root words include:
- Apoptosis: programmed cell death.
- Apogee: the highest point or culmination.
- Crinoline: a stiff fabric used in women’s clothing.
Example Sentences
- The apocrine gland is responsible for producing the thick, milky fluid that causes body odor.
- Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic skin condition that affects the apocrine gland.
- The apocrine gland is found in the skin, mammary glands, and ear canal.
- Unlike the eccrine gland, the apocrine gland is not involved in regulating body temperature.