Definition of exocrine in English:
exocrine
adjective ˈɛksə(ʊ)krɪnˈɛksə(ʊ)krʌɪnˈɛksəˌkrɪn
Physiology Relating to or denoting glands which secrete their products through ducts opening on to an epithelium rather than directly into the blood.
pancreatic exocrine secretion
Example sentencesExamples
- In a separate but related system, exocrine tissues secrete their products into ducts and then to the outside of the body or to the intestinal tract.
- Cystic fibrosis, a chronic genetic disorder that affects the exocrine glands, results in the production of excessive, thick mucus that obstructs the gastrointestinal tract and the lungs.
- Pancreatic juice, an exocrine secretion, is vital for digestion.
- The ovaries perform both an exocrine function by producing ova and an endocrine function by producing estrogen and progesterone.
- There are 4-5 million exocrine glands in the body and approximately one-third of them are in the palms.
Origin
Early 20th century: from exo- 'outside' + Greek krinein 'sift'.
Definition of exocrine in US English:
exocrine
adjectiveˈeksəˌkrinˈɛksəˌkrɪn
Physiology Relating to or denoting glands that secrete their products through ducts opening onto an epithelium rather than directly into the bloodstream.
pancreatic exocrine secretion
Often contrasted with endocrine
Example sentencesExamples
- Pancreatic juice, an exocrine secretion, is vital for digestion.
- There are 4-5 million exocrine glands in the body and approximately one-third of them are in the palms.
- In a separate but related system, exocrine tissues secrete their products into ducts and then to the outside of the body or to the intestinal tract.
- Cystic fibrosis, a chronic genetic disorder that affects the exocrine glands, results in the production of excessive, thick mucus that obstructs the gastrointestinal tract and the lungs.
- The ovaries perform both an exocrine function by producing ova and an endocrine function by producing estrogen and progesterone.
Origin
Early 20th century: from exo- ‘outside’ + Greek krinein ‘sift’.