nonsecretory

Nonsecretory is an adjective used in biology and medicine to describe cells, tissues, or glands that do not produce or release secretions under certain conditions. It is often defined in contrast to secretory tissues, such as exocrine or endocrine glands, which actively generate and discharge substances like enzymes, hormones, mucus, or other products.

The designation is typically relative rather than absolute. A tissue described as nonsecretory may be quiescent under specific physiological states but capable of secreting if stimulated, or it may release substances in a manner that does not involve ducts or the bloodstream. In histology, nonsecretory status may be inferred from the absence of secretory granules, lack of ducts, or the absence of measurable secretions in a given sample.

In practice, the term appears in descriptive anatomy, physiology, and pathology to help differentiate functional states of tissues. Recognizing nonsecretory regions can aid in understanding normal organ function, how secretion is regulated, and how disease or developmental changes alter secretory activity. The term can also be used in comparative studies to note differences between species or developmental stages regarding secretory capacity.

The word derives from Latin secretus, meaning set apart or hidden, with the prefix non- indicating absence. Related concepts include secretion, exocrine and endocrine function, and glandular physiology.