Florida State Paramedic Practice Exam 2025 - Free Paramedic Practice Questions and Study Guide

Exocrine glands are classified by their ability to secrete substances directly through epithelial cells into ducts or onto surfaces. These glands are responsible for producing various substances, such as enzymes, sweat, saliva, and mucus, which are then transported to specific locations where they perform their functions. This direct secretion pathway differentiates exocrine glands from other types of glands.

For example, sweat glands release sweat onto the skin's surface through ducts, aiding in temperature regulation. Similarly, salivary glands secrete saliva into the oral cavity, facilitating digestion. The presence of ducts is a key characteristic that defines exocrine glands.

In contrast, endocrine glands do not have ducts and instead release hormones directly into the bloodstream, allowing for systemic regulation of physiological processes. Apocrine and merocrine glands are subtypes of exocrine glands, characterized by their specific methods of secretion, but they still fall under the broader category of exocrine. Apocrine glands, for instance, release portions of their cells, while merocrine glands secrete substances without any part of the cell being lost.