Latin adnexa cutis | Code TH H3.12.00.3.00001 | |
Skin appendages (or adnexa) are skin-associated structures that serve a particular function including sensation, contractility, lubrication and heat loss. In humans, some of the more common skin appendages are hairs (sensation, heat loss, filter for breathing, protection), arrector pilli (smooth muscles that pull hairs straight), sebaceous glands (secrete sebum onto hair follicle, which oils the hair), sweat glands (can be sweat secreted with strong odour (apocrine) or with a faint odour (eccrine)) and nails (protection).
Contents
Skin appendages are derived from the skin, and are usually adjacent to it.
Types of Appendages include hair, glands, and nails. Sweat Glands are distributed all over the body except nipples and outer genitals. Although the nipples do have the mammary glands, these are known as modified sweat glands. Sebaceous Glands are typically found in the opening shaft of hair. They are not on the palms of the hands or the soles of the feet. These glands secret an antibacterial moisture known as sebum fluid. The sebum also softens the hands. The secretion activity is related to hormonal release. If acne is occurring, it is because these gland ducts are blocked.
Eccrine (merocrine)
This is the most common. The secretions are very watery that contain some electrolytes
Apocrine
This system produces a fatty secretion thus giving away an odorous smell. This is located in the inguinal and axillary regions of the body. It includes the mammary glands as well as the creaminess variants.