Eccrine sweat glands are coiled tubular glands found in almost all skin, with the highest density on the palms, soles and forehead. Their secretory coil lies deep in the dermis and their duct opens directly onto the skin surface as a pore. There are several million of them across the body.
| Location | Throughout the skin, most dense on the palms, soles, forehead and armpits; secretory coil in the deep dermis |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Nerve Supply | Sympathetic postganglionic fibres (cholinergic) |
| Blood Supply | Dermal capillaries |
| Venous drainage |
|
| Lymphatic drainage |
|
Produce watery sweat that cools the body by evaporation and helps keep the skin surface moist and slightly acidic.
They are the main way humans cool down: evaporating sweat removes heat, and output can reach more than a litre an hour in hot conditions or hard exercise. They are controlled by sympathetic nerves that, unusually, release acetylcholine. Excess sweating (hyperhidrosis) is common on the palms, soles and armpits, and heavy sweating can lead to loss of salt and fluid.
Excessive sweating beyond what is needed for cooling, most often of the palms, soles and armpits.
Blocked sweat ducts causing small itchy bumps in hot, humid conditions.
Reduced or absent sweating from nerve damage, skin disease or drugs, risking heat illness.
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