An
apocrine sweat gland (, , or , from Greek
apo– "away" and
krinein "to separate") is a type of
merocrine sweat gland composed of a coiled secretory portion located at the junction of the
dermis and
subcutaneous fat, from which a straight portion inserts and secretes into the
infundibular portion of the
hair follicle. In humans, apocrine sweat glands are found only in certain locations of the body: the
axillae (armpits),
areola and nipples of the breast,
ear canal, eyelids, wings of the nostril, perianal region, and some parts of the external genitalia. Modified apocrine glands include the
ciliary glands in the eyelids; the
ceruminous glands, which produce ear wax; and the
mammary glands, which produce milk. The rest of the body is covered by
eccrine sweat glands.