verejtékmirigyeket

Sweat glands, known in Hungarian as verejtékmirigyeket, are microscopic exocrine glands in the skin that produce sweat. These glands are crucial for thermoregulation, helping the body maintain a stable internal temperature. When the body overheats, sweat glands release a fluid onto the skin's surface. As this fluid evaporates, it cools the body.

There are two main types of sweat glands: eccrine and apocrine. Eccrine glands are found throughout the body, particularly on the palms, soles, and forehead. They are primarily responsible for producing the watery sweat that cools the body. Apocrine glands, on the other hand, are located mainly in the axillary (armpit) and genital regions. They become active during puberty and produce a thicker, milky secretion that contains pheromones. The characteristic odor associated with body odor is a result of bacteria on the skin breaking down the secretions of apocrine glands.

Both types of sweat glands are innervated by the sympathetic nervous system. Sweat production can also be influenced by emotional factors such as stress or excitement, particularly for apocrine glands. The composition of sweat is mainly water, but it also contains electrolytes like sodium and chloride, as well as small amounts of urea and other waste products. While sweat plays a vital role in cooling, it also contributes to electrolyte balance and waste excretion to a lesser extent.