hikieritysjärjestelmä

Hikieritysjärjestelmä, often translated as the sweat excretion system or sudoriferous system, refers to the physiological mechanisms by which the body produces and releases sweat. This system is primarily composed of sweat glands, which are microscopic exocrine glands found in the skin of most mammals. There are two main types of sweat glands: eccrine and apocrine. Eccrine glands are widely distributed throughout the skin and are responsible for producing a watery, odorless secretion that plays a crucial role in thermoregulation. When the body temperature rises, these glands are stimulated to release sweat, which then evaporates from the skin's surface, carrying heat away and cooling the body. Apocrine glands, on the other hand, are larger and are typically found in areas with abundant hair follicles, such as the armpits and groin. They produce a thicker, milky secretion that contains organic compounds. This secretion itself is odorless, but when it interacts with bacteria on the skin's surface, it can produce body odor. The activity of sweat glands is regulated by the autonomic nervous system, responding to stimuli such as heat, stress, and physical exertion. While thermoregulation is the primary function of eccrine sweat, apocrine sweat is thought to play a role in pheromonal communication in some species, although its precise function in humans is still debated.