To secrete outside the body via ducts or small tubes is described by which term?

Prepare for the YouScience Medical Terminology Test with our study tools. Our resources include flashcards and multiple-choice questions with detailed explanations to enhance your learning experience. Ace your exam with confidence!

Multiple Choice

To secrete outside the body via ducts or small tubes is described by which term?

Explanation:
Exocrine glands secrete their products through ducts to outside surfaces or into a body cavity. That ducted pathway is exactly what marks exocrine secretion—think sweat glands releasing sweat onto the skin or salivary glands delivering saliva into the mouth. In contrast, endocrine glands release hormones directly into the bloodstream, with no ducts. Autocrine and paracrine refer to the targeting of signaling molecules to the same cell or nearby cells, respectively, and don’t describe the presence or absence of ducts. So the term that describes secreting outside the body via ducts is exocrine.

Exocrine glands secrete their products through ducts to outside surfaces or into a body cavity. That ducted pathway is exactly what marks exocrine secretion—think sweat glands releasing sweat onto the skin or salivary glands delivering saliva into the mouth. In contrast, endocrine glands release hormones directly into the bloodstream, with no ducts. Autocrine and paracrine refer to the targeting of signaling molecules to the same cell or nearby cells, respectively, and don’t describe the presence or absence of ducts. So the term that describes secreting outside the body via ducts is exocrine.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy