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Apocrine is used to describe sweat glands located exclusively in the hairy parts of the body, especially the armpits and groin area. These glands develop from hair follicles after human puberty. The strong odor of sweat is due to the interaction of bacteria with the sweat produced by the apocrine glands. For comparison: eccrine.
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Apocrine is also used to describe glands in which the process of secretion is accompanied by destruction of the apical part of the cell. See Secretion.
Apocrine is a term used to describe a special type of sweat gland. These glands are located in the hairy part of the body, especially in the armpits and groin area. They differ from regular sweat glands in that they develop from hair follicles and begin functioning after puberty.
Apocrine glands typically produce sweat with a strong odor, which may be caused by the interaction of bacteria and the sweat produced by these glands. This process can lead to unpleasant odor, so people often use deodorants and other products to combat body odor.
However, apocrine glands play an important role in our body. They help regulate body temperature, maintain skin moisture, and fight bacteria that can cause infections. In addition, they may be associated with certain diseases such as psoriasis and eczema.
In comparison, the eccrine system produces sweat, which is odorless. This type of gland is located throughout the body and begins to function during childhood. Eccrine secretion is not associated with the destruction of apical cells, as occurs in apocrine glands.
Article “Apocrine sweat: features of sweat glands and their importance for health”
Apocrine sweat glands are unique glands that are located only in the hairy part of the body, especially the armpits and groin area, and are not found on other parts of the body. They develop from the hair follicle after puberty and have their own sweating system.
The strong odor that comes from the apocrine glands is due to bacterial decomposition of the sweat secreted by these glands. This may be due to the fact that apocrine glands do not have a protective coating or their secretions do not mix with other sweat glands, which allows bacteria to multiply and produce an unpleasant odor.
The key difference between apocrine sweat and regular eccrine sweat is that the process of apocrine secretion is accompanied by the destruction of the apical (end) part of the cell, which leads to the release of more fat and protein. This can cause stains on clothing and other surfaces if the sweat is not removed quickly.
However, apocrine sweat plays an important role in protecting the body from infections and fungi, as it contains natural antibacterial substances that help fight bacteria. Additionally, apocrine sweat can be used to diagnose certain diseases such as skin cancer and allergies.
Thus, apocrine sweat glands have their own unique characteristics and play an important role in maintaining health and protecting the body from infections. However, excessive apocrine secretion can lead to unpleasant odors and stains on clothing, so it is important to maintain good hygiene and avoid allowing sweat to accumulate in these areas.