secrétrices

Sécrétrices (plural of sécrétrice) is the feminine form of the French noun sécréteur, meaning one that secretes. In biology, a sécrétrice is a cell, gland, or tissue that produces and releases a substance through secretion. The term is used to describe cells or organs involved in producing enzymes, hormones, mucus, milk, bile components, and other biological secretions. The feminine plural sécrétrices is commonly found in descriptions such as cellules sécrétrices, glandes sécrétrices, or tissus sécrétrices.

Uses and examples include animal and plant biology. Exocrine glands are sécrétrices of digestive enzymes and mucus, while endocrine glands contain sécrétrices that release hormones into the bloodstream. Goblet cells are sécrétrices of mucus; mammary alveoli accommodate sécrétrices that secrete milk. In plants, certain cells act as sécrétrices of aromatic compounds or resins. The term helps distinguish the producing cells from those that merely transport substances.

Etymology and terminology note that sécrétrer derives from Latin secretus, and the agent noun sécrétrice follows the productive French suffix -trice. The term is specialized to biological contexts and is not used to refer to administrative workers; in those cases, the common noun secrétaire (secretary) applies. When describing function, feminine agreement is preserved, as in cellule sécrétrice or glande sécrétrice, while masculine analogs use sécréteur or organs sécréteurs.

Overall, sécrétrices designate the female-secretor elements in biological systems, highlighting their role in producing and releasing specific substances.