Difference Between Endocrine and Exocrine Glands (original) (raw)
Last Updated : 6 Dec, 2025
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. 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.
Endocrine vs Exocrine glands are given in the table below:
| **Endocrine lands | **Exocrine Glands |
|---|---|
| Pour their secretions directly into the blood, hence called the Ductless gland. | Have ducts to pour their secretions |
| Hypothalamus, Pituitary Gland, Pineal Gland, Thyroid Gland, Parathyroid Gland, Adrenal Gland, 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) |
| Hormones | Enzymes, mucus, sweat, saliva, digestive juices, etc. |
| Regulate body functions such as growth, metabolism, reproduction, homeostasis. | Facilitate digestion, lubrication, protection, temperature regulation, and other specific functions. |
| 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 corticotropic hormone (ACTH),Prolactin, Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH),Luteinizing hormone (LH),Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) |
| Pineal gland | Melatonin |
| Thymus gland | Thymosin hormone |
| Pancreas | Glucagon, Insulin, Somatostatin |
| 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 |