glands

Cultural  

1. Organs or groups of cells that take substances from the blood and change them chemically so that they can be secreted later for further use by the body. There are two kinds of glands: those that secrete their substances directly into the bloodstream (endocrine glands), and those that secrete their substances through channels or ducts (such as sweat glands and salivary glands).

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Example Sentences

Specialized salt glands allow these reptiles to remove excess salt from their bodies, enabling them to survive for long periods in seawater.

From Science Daily • May 28, 2026

Neurocrine already markets Crenessity, an oral CRF1 receptor antagonist used to treat congenital adrenal hyperplasia, which is a collection of genetic disorders affecting the adrenal glands.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026

The big cats and other hunters that these foragers feared had many fewer eccrine sweat glands than humans; predators had to stay cool in the daytime by hunkering in the shade.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 16, 2026

The more glands and fibrous tissue a person has, the denser their breasts.

From Slate • Feb. 4, 2026

“Actually, humans have the most sweat glands on the bottom of their feet.”

From "The Thing About Jellyfish" by Ali Benjamin