6: Skin Glands: Sebaceous, Eccrine, and Apocrine Glands Flashcards
(395 cards)
What are the two main components of skin glands?
The two main components of skin glands are: 1. Secretory component – gland or coil (tubulus) 2. Excretory part – duct (ductus)
What are the classifications of skin glands based on their product?
The classifications of skin glands based on their product are: - Sebum (produced by sebaceous glands) - Sweat (produced by sweat glands)
What is the secretory function of holocrine glands?
Holocrine glands secrete by having their secretory cells burst, releasing both cytoplasmic contents and cell membranes into their ducts.
An example of a holocrine gland is the sebaceous gland.
How do merocrine glands excrete their products?
Merocrine glands excrete their products via exocytosis.
Examples of merocrine glands include eccrine and apocrine glands.
Where do sebaceous glands release their product?
Sebaceous glands release their product into the hair follicle.
What is the histological structure of sebaceous glands?
Sebaceous glands are composed of multilobular structures of epithelial origin, specifically: - Sebocytes (lipid-producing epithelial cells) - The sebaceous duct is lined by undifferentiated keratinocytes. - The periphery of the sebaceous gland contains a basal cell layer with small cuboidal nucleated highly mitotic sebocytes.
What is the significance of SOX9 in sebaceous gland development?
SOX9 is the earliest known signal necessary for sebaceous gland development and is essential for the specification of early hair follicle stem cells and morphogenesis.
What are the locations where sebaceous glands are found?
Sebaceous glands are located in various areas, including: - Associated with hair follicles - Eyelids – Meibomian, tarsal glands - Nipples – Montgomery, areolar glands - Genitals – Tyson glands - Mucosa – lips, gums, inner cheeks, genitals, Fordyce spots - Palms and soles – totally devoid of sebaceous glands - Dorsal hand and foot – sparse sebaceous glands - Nose – largest glands and greatest density of glands (1600 glands/cm²) - Face and scalp – 2nd greatest density (400-900 glands/cm²)
Explain the structural and functional differences between sebaceous and eccrine sweat glands.
Sebaceous glands are multilobular structures associated with hair follicles, secreting sebum via holocrine secretion, which involves cell disintegration. Eccrine sweat glands, on the other hand, are found over most of the body and secrete sweat directly onto the skin surface via merocrine secretion, which involves exocytosis.
What is the significance of the Wnt and Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathways in sebaceous gland development?
The Wnt and Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathways are intricately involved in sebaceous gland development. Increased Shh and Myc signaling, along with decreased Wnt signaling, are critical for sebocyte differentiation.
What is the significance of the pilosebaceous unit?
The pilosebaceous unit, comprising a sebaceous gland and hair follicle, is essential for sebum secretion and hair follicle health.
What is the role of PRDM1 in sebaceous gland development?
PRDM1 (formerly BLIMP1) is a marker of terminal epithelial differentiation. Its loss leads to increased c-myc expression, resulting in enlarged and numerous sebaceous glands.
What is the role of SOX9 in sebaceous gland development?
SOX9 is the earliest known signal necessary for sebaceous gland development, playing a critical role in hair follicle stem cell specification and morphogenesis.
How do sebaceous glands regenerate after damage?
Sebaceous glands regenerate from a reservoir of stem cells located in the hair follicle bulge.
What are the two main components of skin glands and their functions?
Skin glands consist of: 1. Secretory component - gland or coil (tubulus) 2. Excretory part - duct (ductus)
These glands are involved in the secretion of products such as sebum and sweat.
How do holocrine and merocrine glands differ in their secretory functions?
- Holocrine glands: Secretory cells burst and release both cytoplasmic contents and cell membranes into their ducts (e.g., sebaceous glands). - Merocrine glands: Excrete products via exocytosis without losing cellular material (e.g., eccrine and apocrine glands).
What is the primary regulatory mechanism for sebaceous glands?
Sebaceous glands are primarily regulated by androgens and retinoids, which influence their activity and secretion of sebum.
Describe the histological structure of sebaceous glands.
Sebaceous glands are multilobular structures of epithelial origin, composed of: - Sebocytes: Lipid-producing uniquely differentiated epithelial cells. - Sebaceous duct: Lined by undifferentiated keratinocytes. - Basal cell layer: Contains small cuboidal nucleated highly mitotic sebocytes that progress toward the middle of the gland, accumulating lipid droplets.
Where are sebaceous glands located in the human body?
Sebaceous glands are associated with hair follicles and can be found in various locations: - PiloSebaceous Unit: Sebaceous gland + hair follicle - Eyelids: Meibomian, tarsal glands - Nipples: Montgomery, areolar glands - Genitals: Tyson glands - Mucosa: Lips, gums, inner cheeks, genitals (Fordyce spots)
Note: Palms and soles are totally devoid of sebaceous glands.
What is the significance of the Wnt and Sonic hedgehog signaling pathways in sebaceous gland development?
The Wnt and Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathways are crucial for sebaceous gland development as they: - Regulate the differentiation of sebocytes. - Influence the proliferation and specification of early hair follicle stem cells. - Ensure proper morphogenesis of sebaceous glands during embryonic development.
What role does SOX9 play in sebaceous gland development?
SOX9 is the earliest known signal necessary for sebaceous gland development. It is essential for: - Specification of early hair follicle stem cells. - Morphogenesis of sebaceous glands, ensuring proper formation and function during development.
How does the location of sebaceous glands vary across different body regions?
Sebaceous glands are distributed variably across the body: - Nose: Largest glands and greatest density (1600 glands/cm²) - Face and Scalp: 2nd greatest density (400-900 glands/cm²) - Dorsal hand and foot: Sparse sebaceous glands - Palms and soles: Totally devoid of sebaceous glands.
What is the function of Fordyce spots and where are they located?
Fordyce spots are sebaceous glands that release their contents directly to the epithelial surface. They are typically found in: - Mucosa: Lips, gums, inner cheeks, and genitals.
What are the components found in the secretion of sebaceous glands?
Sebaceous glands secrete a mixture that includes: - Squalene - Cholesterol - Cholesterol esters - Wax esters - Triglycerides
These components contribute to the protective and moisturizing properties of sebum.