Difference Between Endocrine and Exocrine Glands

Difference Between Endocrine and Exocrine Glands: Endocrine and Exocrine glands are two types of glands present in the human body. The major difference between exocrine and endocrine is their mode of secretion. Exocrine glands pour their secretions using ducts while Endocrine glands do not require ducts and pour their secretions directly into the bloodstream and are thus also known as ‘ductless glands’. Other than these two, there is another gland present which is known as the Heterocrine gland. It is a mixture of endocrine and exocrine glands.

Differences between Endocrine and Exocrine Glands

Features	Endocrine Glands	Exocrine Glands
Mode of Secretions	Pour their secretions directly into the blood	Have ducts to pour their secretions
Examples	Hypothalamus, Pituitary, Pineal, Thyroid, Parathyroid, Adrenal, Thymus glands, Pancreas (Islet of Langerhans), Gonads (Ovary and Testis)	Sweat glands, Salivary glands, Sebaceous glands, Lacrimal glands, Mammary glands, Gastric glands, Intestinal glands, Pancreas (exocrine part)
Secretions	Hormones	Saliva, Sweat, Sebum, Tears, Milk, Gastric juices, Intestinal juices, Pancreatic juices
Function	Regulation of various physiological processes	Facilitate digestion, lubrication, protection, temperature regulation, and other specific functions
Location	Distributed throughout the body	Located in specific regions or organs

Endocrine Glands

Endocrine glands are those glands that pour their secretions directly into the blood without using ducts. Hypothalamus, Pituitary, Pineal, Thyroid, Parathyroid, Adrenal, and Thymus glands are all examples of endocrine glands.

Secretions of endocrine glands-

Endocrine Gland	Secretion
Hypothalamus	Vasopressin, Oxytocin, Releasing hormones, Inhibiting hormones
Pituitary gland	Growth hormone, Thyroid stimulating hormone TSH), Adrenal corticotrophic hormone (ACTH), Prolactin, Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), Luteinizing hormone (LH), Melanocytes stimulating hormone (MSH)
Pineal gland	Melatonin
Thymus gland	Thymosin hormone
Pancreas	Glucagon, Insulin, Somatostatin hormones
Thyroid gland	Thyroxin hormone, Thyrocalcitonin hormone
Parathyroid gland	Parathormone (PTH)
Adrenal glands	Aldosterone, Cortisol, Sex corticoids
Gonads	Ovary. Oestrogen; Testis: Testosterone

Exocrine Glands

Exocrine glands are those glands that have ducts to pour their secretions. Sweat glands, Salivary glands, Sebaceous glands, Lacrimal glands, Mammary glands, and Gastric and Intestinal glands are examples of exocrine glands.

Secretions of exocrine glands:

Exocrine Gland	Secretion
Sweat glands	Sweat
Sebaceous glands	Sebum
Salivary glands	Saliva
Lacrimal glands	Tears
Mammary glands	Milk
Gastric glands	Enzymes for digestion
Intestinal glands	Intestinal juices
Pancreas	Pancreatic juices
Ovary	Ova
Testis	Sperm

Heterocrine Glands

Heterocrine glands are a mixture of endocrine and exocrine glands. They pour some of their secretions using ducts and some secretions without using ducts.

Secretions of Exocrine glands:

Endocrine Gland	Secretion
Pancreas	Pancreatic juices (via ducts), Insulin, Glucagon, Somatostatin hormones
Gonads	Ova (Ovary), Sperm (Testis), Sex hormones

FAQs on Endocrine and Exocrine Glands

Q1: What do you know about Endocrine and Exocrine Glands?

Answer:

Endocrine glands release their secretions directly into the blood without using ducts. Exocrine glands are those glands that have ducts to pour their secretions. 

Q2: What is the major difference between endocrine and exocrine glands?

Answer:

Endocrine glands secrete directly into the bloodstream, while exocrine glands use ducts.

Q3: What is a heterocrine gland?

Answer:

A heterocrine gland is a combination of endocrine and exocrine glands.

Q4: What are the three types of glands based on the presence or absence of ducts?

Answer:

Endocrine glands, exocrine glands, and heterocrine glands.