Sweat gland - function and appearance

Humans have around 2 - 4 million sweat glands.

Most sweat glands are located on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet; The fewest sweat glands are on the head, trunk and extremities.

A distinction is made between the eccrine (also merocrine) ball glands and the apocrine scent glands, which are larger. Not all sweat glands work at full speed in those affected by hyperhidrosis (hyperhidrotic patients).

But those “responsible” for our sweating are the small eccrine glands. Although they are responsible for a large part of the amount of sweat, they also take on the important task of regulating body temperature. There are an average of 50 - 339 eccrine glands per square centimeter of skin.

The apocrine sweat glands are responsible for body odor, which is why they are also called scent glands. When bacteria form and begin to decompose, their secretion (the apocrine gland) is produced and spreads the characteristic smell of sweat. Unconsciously, they probably also play a role in people's choice of partner.