GLANDULAR EPITHELIUM

Learning Outcomes
• At the end of the lecture the student must be able to
– Describe how the glands are developed
– Explain various types of glands with examples
 Lesson Plan
• Definition of glands
• Types of glands
• Classification of glands
• Details of different types of glands
• Development of glands
 Glandular Epithelium
• Glands are structures which develop as an
outgrowth from epithelium lined surfaces.
• Specialized epithelial cells, arranged as single
or groups of cells, to performing a secretory
function.
Glands
 Glandular Epithelium
• Glandular Epithelium = Columnar epithelium +
goblet cells
• Columnar and Cuboidal epithelial cells often
become specialized as gland cells which
synthesize, secrete substances like enzymes,
hormones, milk, mucus, sweat, wax and saliva.
• Some parts of the glandular epithelium consist of
large number of goblet cells that there are only a
few normal epithelial cells left.
 Glands
• Glands can be
Unicellular glands
- consist of single, isolated glandular cells such as the goblet cells.
- seen along with other non-secreting epithelial cells Eg.
Intestines
• Multicellular glands
- are composed of clusters of cells
- develops as a diverticula from epithelial surface.
- Distal part develops into secretory part,
- Proximal part form the ducts which opens into epithelial surface.
Unicellular Gland: Goblet Cell
Unicellular Gland: Goblet Cell
Multicellular Gland
 Endocrine and Exocrine Glands
• THOSE GLANDS which

• Pour secretions on to the epithelial surface

through ducts is EXOCRINE GLAND or external
secreting gland

• Loose contact with their epithelium and pour

secretions into the blood ENDOCRINE GLAND or
internal secreting gland or ductless gland
 Exocrine Gland
• WHEN ALL THE SECRETIONS OF THE EXOCRINE GLAND are

• Sent through one duct

– Simple gland

• Sometimes number of secreting glands, each group with

their own duct, these ducts unite to form larger ducts
which ultimately drain to epithelial surface (via these
larger ducts)
- Compound gland
Classification of Exocrine Glands by Shape

• Simple and Compound EXOCRINE gland has

secretory cells arranged in various forms:

• Tubular
- straight, branched or coiled
• Rounded sacs or acini
• Flask shaped called alveoli/acini
• Combination of the above
 Classification based on Morphology
• Based on this exocrine glands can be classified as:
• Unicellular
• Simple tubular
• Simple coiled tubular
• Simple branched tubular
• Simple alveolar or acinar
• Simple branched alveolar
• Compound tubular
• Compound alveolar
• Compound tubulo-alveolar
Simple Tubular Gland
Simple Coiled Tubular Gland
Simple Branched Tubular Gland
Simple Alveolar/acinar Gland
Simple Branched Alveolar Gland
Compound Tubular Gland
Compound Alveolar/acinar Gland
Compound Tubulo-Acinar Gland
Compound Tubuloacinar Gland
Classification of Exocrine Glands by Secretion

• Depending on the type of secretions exocrine

gland can be called as

• Mucous glands (mucopolysaccharide, seen

collect in the apex of the cell so the nucleus is
pushed to the base)
• Serous glands (protein in nature, cytoplasm
granular, nucleus is central)
 Secretion of Glands
• Epithelia of secretory portion of a glands has specialized
structures depending on its secretions

• Protein secretion
– well developed ER, supranuclear Golgi apparatus

• Mucin secretion
– well developed Rough ER, Golgi complex

• Steroid secretion
– extensive smooth ER, prominent mitochondria
 Classification by How Secretions Leave the
Cell
• On the basis of the manner in which their secretions are
poured out of the cell, Exocrine gland can be called as:

• MEROCRINE
secretions are thrown by exocytosis, cell remaining intact
• APOCRINE
some part of a cell is lost along with its secretions e.g. Sweat
gland
• HOLOCRINE
Entire cell degenerates while discharging its secretions. E.g.
Sebaceous gland.
 Merocrine/Eecrine Glands
• The cells of these glands secrete their chemical
substances by a process named exocytosis.
• It is a form of transport wherein the cells
transmit the substances out of the cell and into
the duct through the cellular channels.
• There is no rupturing of the cell wall involved.
• Examples include pancreatic acinar cells, most
sweat glands of the human body, salivary glands,
goblet cells, intestinal glands, tear glands, etc.
Merocrine Secretion
 Apocrine Glands
• They bud off an apical part of their cellular
cytoplasm and membrane and release the
substance into the ductal system.
• For example, pancreatic acinar cells, salivary
glands, goblet cells, intestinal glands, tear
glands, etc.
Apocrine Secretion
 Holocrine Glands
• These are released by the rupture of the
plasma membrane.
• They are produced in the cytoplasm of the cell
by the disintegration of the entire cell,
destroying them and as a result secreting the
product in the lumen.
• For example, sebaceous glands of the skin and
nose, meibomian gland, Zeis gland, etc.
Holocrine Secretion
 Endocrine Glands
• Arranged in clumps
• Has good blood supply
• Supported by connective tissue
- to hold the clumps of cells and blood vessels
in place
• Surrounded by a capsule.
Endocrine Gland: Adrenal Gland
Thyroid gland
Pancreas
Function of Glands (Endocrine)
 Functions of Exocrine Glands
• Regulate body temperature
• Lubrication hair and skin
• Lactation
• Helps in digestion
• Helps in reproduction
• Protect the inner lining of your organs.
• Absorb nutrients.
• Protect the inner lining of your organs.