Sweat Glands and Thermoregulation
Sweat Glands and Thermoregulation — structures in the skin that produce sweat, which cools the body as it evaporates from the surface. This process is the main way skin helps maintain a stable internal temperature during heat or exertion.
Key points
- Eccrine glands are found across most of the body and produce the watery sweat used primarily for cooling.
- Apocrine glands, concentrated in areas like the armpits, produce a thicker secretion associated with body odor when broken down by bacteria.
- Sweat cools the body through evaporation, drawing heat away from the skin surface.
- The nervous system controls sweating in response to temperature, exercise, and emotional stress.
Frequently asked
How does sweating actually cool me down?
As sweat evaporates from the skin's surface, it absorbs heat and carries it away, which lowers skin and body temperature.
Why do I sweat more in some areas than others?
Sweat glands are unevenly distributed, so regions like the palms, forehead, and underarms have higher gland density and tend to sweat more noticeably.
Related topics
This is a foundational entry in the SYNC Skin Encyclopedia and is expanded over time. Educational information only — not medical advice.
