From the Guidelines
The eccrine gland is a type of sweat gland found throughout the body that produces a hypotonic solution to control body temperature by delivering it via pores to the skin's surface, where it evaporates to lower body temperature while preserving sodium. The eccrine glands are located in the dermis and are the actual sweat glands, as opposed to apocrine glands which are only found in the pubic area and armpits 1. These glands play a crucial role in thermoregulation and are found throughout the body, with their main function being to regulate body temperature. Some key characteristics of eccrine glands include:
- They are located in the dermis
- They produce a hypotonic solution
- They deliver this solution via pores to the skin's surface
- They help to control body temperature by evaporating the solution on the skin's surface
- They preserve sodium in the process of thermoregulation, as noted in the study 1. The structure and function of eccrine glands are closely related to their role in maintaining the body's temperature and overall health, and their dysfunction can lead to conditions such as hyperhidrosis or hypohidrosis, which can significantly impact quality of life and thermoregulatory capacity.
From the Research
Definition and Function of Eccrine Glands
- Eccrine sweat glands (ESGs) play a crucial role in temperature regulation by secreting sweat 2.
- The eccrine sweat gland is a long-branched tubular structure with a highly coiled secretory portion and a straight ductular portion 3.
- Sweat is produced by clear and dark cells and is a clear, hypotonic, odorless fluid 3.
Structure and Anatomy
- The total number of sweat glands is somewhere between 2 and 4 million, and only about 5% are active at the same time, indicating the enormous potential for sweat production 3.
- The eccrine gland has a secretory portion and a ductular portion, with the secretory portion being responsible for producing sweat 3.
Role in Hyperhidrosis
- Eccrine glands are involved in primary focal hyperhidrosis, a disorder of idiopathic excessive sweating that typically affects the axillae, palms, soles, and face 4, 5.
- Hyperhidrosis can be treated with botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) injections into hyperhidrotic areas, which can considerably reduce focal sweating in multiple areas without major adverse effects 5.