Anatomy
gland Audio
gland [ gland ]
Etymology:
Latin glans = acorn; presumably from a similarity in size and shape of the so-called lymph glands or nodes to acorns.
Definitions related to gland:
  • An organ that makes one or more substances, such as hormones, digestive juices, sweat, tears, saliva, or milk. Endocrine glands release the substances directly into the bloodstream. Exocrine glands release the substances into a duct or opening to the inside or outside of the body.
    NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • An organ that produces and secretes hormones (e.g. endocrine gland), saliva or sweat (e.g. exocrine gland).
    NCI Thesaurus
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • Any organ or tissue that secretes fluids, such as hormones, for use elsewhere in the body or as waste.
    Harvard Dictionary of Health Terms
    Harvard Medical Publishing, 2011
  • Gland, cell or tissue that removes specific substances from the blood, alters or concentrates them, and then either releases them for further use or eliminates them. Typically, a gland consists of either cuboidal or columnar epithelium resting on a basement membrane and is surrounded by a plexus...
    Encyclopedia Britannica
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 2020
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This content should not be used in place of medically-reviewed decision support reference material or professional medical advice. Some terms may have alternate or updated definitions not reflected in this set. The definitions on this page should not be considered complete or up to date.