Extraepithelial Glands-Apocrine Sweat Glands

The apocrine sweat glands (aroma glands) are long, unbranched epithelial tubules with wide lumina, which end at the follicle. The coiled secretory tubules of the sweat glands are lined with single-layered epithelium. Its height depends on the functional state. It is characteristic of these gland cells to form raised domes on the cell surface. These domes are filled with secretory material and will finally separate as vesicles from the cell body 1 by constriction and membrane fusion: apocrine extrusion, apocytosis. In the process,  part of the cytoplasm may be extruded as well. After secretion, the glandular tubules are lined by a flattened epithelium. The small dark spots 2 at the basis of the gland cells represent myoepithelial cells. Apocrine sweat gland from the human axilla (armpit).

1 Cytoplasmic dome with secretor y material

2 Myoepithelial cell

Stain: van Gieson iron hematoxylin-picrofuchsin; magnification: × 240

References

Kuehnel, W.(2003). Color Atlas of Cytology, Histology, and Microscopic Anatomy. 4^th edition . Institute of Anatomy Universitätzu Luebeck Luebeck, Germany . Thieme Stuttgar t · New York .