Sebaceous gland

A skin gland that secretes sebum, usually into a hair follicle. Its lipid-rich secretion helps lubricate and protect skin and hair.

Sebum: An oily mixture of lipids secreted by sebaceous glands onto skin and hair. This is the gland’s secretion, released as sebocytes break down.
Skin: The body’s outer covering, composed of the epidermis and underlying dermis. Sebaceous glands are skin appendages situated mainly in the dermis.
Acne vulgaris: A chronic inflammatory skin condition involving clogged hair follicles and lesions such as comedones, papules, and pustules. Excess sebum and follicular blockage contribute to this common condition.
Skin appendage: A structure arising from the skin, including hair follicles, nails, and glands. Sebaceous glands are one class of these specialized structures.
Skin barrier: The protective interface that limits water loss and blocks external irritants and microbes. Sebum contributes lipids to the surface environment supporting this barrier.
Holocrine secretion: A secretory process in which entire cells disintegrate to release their contents. Sebaceous glands release sebum through this distinctive mode of secretion.
Epidermis: The outer epithelial layer of the skin. The gland’s duct opens onto the skin surface, which this layer forms.
Seborrhea: Excessive sebum production that can cause oily skin or scalp. This describes increased output from sebaceous glands.
Hair follicle morphogenesis: The developmental process by which hair follicles form from interactions between epidermal and dermal cells. Sebaceous glands develop as outgrowths associated with forming hair follicles.
Skin microbiome: The community of microorganisms living on and in the skin. Sebum provides nutrients that favor particular microbes on oily skin.

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