Difference Between Endocrine and Exocrine Glands
Last Updated : 21 Apr, 2025
Difference Between Endocrine and Exocrine Glands: Endocrine and Exocrine glands are two types of glands present in the human body. The major difference between exocrine and endocrine is their mode of secretion. Exocrine glands pour their secretions using ducts while Endocrine glands do not require ducts and pour their secretions directly into the bloodstream and are thus also known as 'ductless glands'. Other than these two, there is another gland present which is known as the Heterocrine gland. It is a mixture of endocrine and exocrine glands.
Differences between Endocrine and Exocrine Glands
Features | Endocrine Glands | Exocrine Glands |
| Mode of Secretions | Pour their secretions directly into the blood | Have ducts to pour their secretions |
| Examples | Hypothalamus, Pituitary, Pineal, Thyroid, Parathyroid, Adrenal, Thymus glands, Pancreas (Islet of Langerhans), Gonads (Ovary and Testis) | Sweat glands, Salivary glands, Sebaceous glands, Lacrimal glands, Mammary glands, Gastric glands, Intestinal glands, Pancreas (exocrine part) |
| Secretions | Hormones | Saliva, Sweat, Sebum, Tears, Milk, Gastric juices, Intestinal juices, Pancreatic juices |
| Function | Regulation of various physiological processes | Facilitate digestion, lubrication, protection, temperature regulation, and other specific functions |
| Location | Distributed throughout the body | Located in specific regions or organs |
Endocrine Glands
Endocrine glands are those glands that pour their secretions directly into the blood without using ducts. Hypothalamus, Pituitary, Pineal, Thyroid, Parathyroid, Adrenal, and Thymus glands are all examples of endocrine glands.
Secretions of endocrine glands-
Endocrine Gland | Secretion |
Hypothalamus | Vasopressin, Oxytocin, Releasing hormones, Inhibiting hormones |
Pituitary gland | Growth hormone, Thyroid stimulating hormone TSH), Adrenal corticotrophic hormone (ACTH), Prolactin, Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), Luteinizing hormone (LH), Melanocytes stimulating hormone (MSH) |
Pineal gland | Melatonin |
Thymus gland | Thymosin hormone |
Pancreas | Glucagon, Insulin, Somatostatin hormones |
Thyroid gland | Thyroxin hormone, Thyrocalcitonin hormone |
Parathyroid gland | Parathormone (PTH) |
Adrenal glands | Aldosterone, Cortisol, Sex corticoids |
Gonads | Ovary. Oestrogen; Testis: Testosterone |
Exocrine Glands
Exocrine glands are those glands that have ducts to pour their secretions. Sweat glands, Salivary glands, Sebaceous glands, Lacrimal glands, Mammary glands, and Gastric and Intestinal glands are examples of exocrine glands.
Secretions of exocrine glands:
| Exocrine Gland | Secretion |
Sweat glands | Sweat |
Sebaceous glands | Sebum |
Salivary glands | Saliva |
Lacrimal glands | Tears |
Mammary glands | Milk |
Gastric glands | Enzymes for digestion |
Intestinal glands | Intestinal juices |
Pancreas | Pancreatic juices |
Ovary | Ova |
Testis | Sperm |
Heterocrine Glands
Heterocrine glands are a mixture of endocrine and exocrine glands. They pour some of their secretions using ducts and some secretions without using ducts.
Secretions of Exocrine glands:
Endocrine Gland | Secretion |
Pancreas | Pancreatic juices (via ducts), Insulin, Glucagon, Somatostatin hormones |
Gonads | Ova (Ovary), Sperm (Testis), Sex hormones |
Similar Reads
Difference Between Endospore and Exospore Difference Between Endospore and Exospore: Endospores and Exospores both are reproductive and unicellular structures. These structures are formed by bacteria, fungi, and algae. The major difference is endospores are formed inside the mother cell whereas exospores are formed at the end of the mother
3 min read
Difference Between Endotoxins and Exotoxins The major difference between endotoxin and exotoxin lies in how bacteria produce these toxins. Endotoxins are produced by Gram-negative bacteria and exotoxins are produced by bacteria that release toxins into the surroundings. The toxins are toxic substances, including proteins, small molecules, and
5 min read
Difference Between Exocytosis And Endocytosis Cell consists of four types of transportation mechanism - Diffusion, active transport, osmosis and bulk transport. The two types of bulk transportation mechanism are known as Exocytosis and Endocytosis. They transport big particles through the plasma membrane from the cell. Exocytosis is the process
4 min read
Difference Between Secretion And Excretion The difference between secretion and excretion lies in their purpose within the body. Secretion is the process of releasing substances produced by cells into the surrounding environment or body fluids for specific physiological functions. Excretion, on the other hand, is the removal of waste product
6 min read
Difference between Endothermic and Exothermic Reactions Chemical reactions on the heat involved are classified into two categories, Endothermic Reactions, and Exothermic Reactions. The difference between these reactions is that the first absorbs heat and the latter releases it. In this article, we will learn about endothermic reactions, exothermic reacti
8 min read