exocrine gland n a gland (as a sweat gland, a salivary gland, or a kidney) that releases a secretion external to or at the surface of an organ by means of a canal or duct called also gland of external secretion
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a gland that discharges its secretion by means of a duct, which opens onto an epithelial surface. An exocrine gland may be simple, with a single unbranched duct, or compound, with branched ducts and multiple secretory sacs. Examples of exocrine glands are the sebaceous and sweat glands. See also secretion.
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a gland that discharges its secretion through a duct opening on an internal or external surface of the body, as a lacrimal gland. Cf. endocrine g's.Medical dictionary. 2011.