Sweat Gland: Cell Types Composing the Tissue

A typical human adult has approximately 3 million sweat glands located throughout the body. The main function of the sweat glands is to ensure the body remains at the appropriate temperature. If the body overheats, it can lead to hyperthermia, stroke, and death. In addition to temperature regulation, the sweat glands also work to remove waste by ridding the body of water and sodium and depositing it on the skin. The sweat gland is a tube, which allows the gland to rid itself of the sweat it produces. Epithelial and myoepithelial cells provide two levels of support to the structure of the sweat gland and work together to properly execute the gland’s purpose. Studies are demonstrating that stem cells exist within sweat glands, and these ...