Dorothy FarrarSebaceous glands
Sebaceous glands serve to protect the skin , their secreted lipid forms a protective film on the outer layer of the skin. This protects the skin from drying out and infections. A malfunction is clearly visible on the skin, but can be treated with therapy.
Definition
Anatomy
Holocrine glands are glands that produce and secrete a lipid from the substance of the surrounding glandular cells, including the sebaceous gland. It belongs to the category of skin appendages, since they act independently but are closely related to the skin.
The sebaceous gland is found embedded in a hollow on the side of the hair and sebaceous follicles. Up to five glands can be present on a follicle. The scalp, the genital area, the T-zone on the face and the front and rear sweat troughs on the trunk are areas of the body where most of the sebaceous glands can be found. On average, there are about 40 glands per square centimeter of skin.
In contrast, there are no sebaceous glands on the soles of the feet or the palms of the hands . Most sebaceous glands are so-called hair follicles because they are located on the epithelium of the hair follicles. The so-called free sebaceous glands are present in a much smaller number and are mainly located in the nostrils , around the eyelids, around the lips and on the genitals and the anus .
Function
The lipid produced by the sebaceous glands is a fatty secretion composed largely of triglycerides, fatty acids , proteins and waxy esters, although the exact composition varies from person to person. Around 1-2 g of sebum is formed on the skin’s surface every day. The amount is influenced by disposition, hormones, age, gender, diet and environmental influences. With increasing age, sebum production also decreases, which can lead to dry and vulnerable skin in old age.
The sebaceous glands do not have their own exit, but release the sebum. The sebum is formed intracellularly, i.e. inside the cell, and released when the cells burst. The secreted sebum is then passed through the hair follicle on the sebaceous gland through the follicle exit to the skin surface and distributed there.
A greasy film forms, which protects the skin from drying out. They also protect the skin from pathogens and skin diseases, as well as from other harmful external influences such as chemicals. In addition, the sebum keeps the hair supple and shiny. On the way to the surface, it also picks up dead and horny skin cells and transports them to the surface. The production of sebum is therefore important for the skin as a moisturizer and at the same time as a cleanser.
Diseases
- Sebo level
- Hordeolum
- sebaceous carcinoma
Dysfunction of the sebaceous glands can lead to skin diseases. If the sebaceous gland secretes too little or too much sebum, skin irritation is often the result. Seborrhea leads to increased sebum secretion, which manifests itself in a particularly greasy and oily complexion.
This can be brought back into balance by therapy with antiseborrhoics. The clinical picture of seborrhea occurs in most of those affected during puberty, due to hormonal changes. However, in many patients, sebum levels return to normal levels in their 20s.
If too little sebum is produced, this is called sebostasis. The skin is dry and brittle, and the hair is often dull. In addition, the skin then reacts to solar radiation, which often results in itching.
The underproduction of sebum impairs the skin’s barrier function. This leads to increased water loss, which is the reason for dry skin and dull hair. The sebostasis is treated externally with creams and ointments, which are supposed to have a moisturizing effect.
When the gland becomes clogged and sebum is no longer secreted, bacterial infections can occur. Then blackheads develop and clinical pictures such as acne or hordeolum can occur. A malignant degeneration of the sebaceous gland is also possible, which results in the formation of a sebaceous gland carcinoma (cancer).
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.