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How are endocrine glands different from sweat glands and salivary glands?
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Endocrine system
The glands of the human endocrine system.
The primary difference between endocrine glands and glands such as sweat or salivary glands lies in their method of secretion and the presence of ducts.
- Endocrine Glands: These are ductless glands that secrete their products, known as hormones, directly into the bloodstream. Because they lack ducts, they rely on the circulatory system to transport their secretions to target tissues throughout the body.123
- Sweat and Salivary Glands: These are classified as exocrine glands. They possess a system of ducts or tubes that discharge their secretions—such as saliva or sweat—onto an epithelial surface, such as the skin or the lining of the oral cavity.142
In summary, while exocrine glands like salivary and sweat glands use ducts to deliver substances to specific external or internal surfaces, endocrine glands are specialized to release hormones directly into the blood to regulate systemic functions.12