Merocrine (or eccrine) is a term used to classify
exocrine glands and their secretions in the study of
histology. A cell is classified as merocrine if the secretions of that cell are excreted via
exocytosis from secretory cells into an
epithelial-walled duct or ducts and then onto a bodily surface or into the
lumen.
Merocrine is the most common manner of secretion. The gland releases its product and no part of the gland is lost or damaged (compare
holocrine and
apocrine).
The term eccrine is specifically used to designate merocrine secretions from
sweat glands (
eccrine sweat glands),[1] although the term merocrine is often used interchangeably.[2][3]
Examples
Salivary glands – Exocrine glands that produce saliva through a system of ductsPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets
Pancreatic glands – Organ of the digestive system and endocrine system of vertebratesPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets