Is the parathyroid an endocrine gland? Are sweat glands endocrine glands?
1 Answer
Parathyroid is an endocrine gland.
Sweat glands are exocrine gland.
Explanation:
The endocrine glands are ductless glands that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream. The bloodstream then carries these chemical signals (hormones) to target organs. These hormones help to regulate metabolism, water and electrolyte concentrations in cells, growth, development and in the reproductive cycles.
Parathyroid gland is an endocrine gland which secretes parathyroid hormone (PTH) into blood. PTH has effect on calcium metabolism.
Here is a diagram of major Endocrine glands of human body :
On the other hand, exocrine glands have ducts. By the ducts secretions of exocrine glands are transported directly to an organ or
the body surface.
Sweat glands have ducts and by these ducts sweat is transported to body surface. So they are not endocrine glands. They are exocrine.
Diagram of three exocrine glands :
This picture shows difference between Endocrine and Exocrine gland :
