Course 3 - Glands

In the development of glands, all glands are formed from epithelial surfaces by cells from the epithelium growing down into the underlying connective tissue. Some glands retain their connection with the epithelial surface, and this connection forms a duct through which the secretion produced by the glandular sections is transported to the surface. These glands are called exocrine glands.

Exocrine gland cells are divided into two types depending on the type of secretion they produce:

• Serous gland cells produce a thin, fluid secretion that is rich in enzymes.
• Mucous gland cells produce a viscous secretion (mucus = slime).