Apocrine

Apocrine is a term used to classify exocrine glands in the study of histology. Cells which are classified as apocrine bud their secretions off through the plasma membrane producing membrane bound vesicles in the lumen.

Examples of an apocrine gland include:

• the lactating mammary gland.
• cerumen ("wax") of the outer ear
• goblet cells

The structures that are usually called "apocrine sweat glands" actually secrete in a merocrine fashion.

See also

• Merocrine
• Holocrine

External links

• Diagram at uwa.edu.au