Glands in the skin support the integumentary system by helping with protection, temperature regulation, and barrier maintenance, among other roles. Key ideas

• Sweat glands (eccrine and apocrine) produce sweat that cools the body and helps excrete waste and regulate salt balance. Sweat also aids in removing heat and can have antimicrobial effects, contributing to barrier defense. This helps the skin maintain an appropriate temperature and prevents overheating.

• Sebaceous glands secrete sebum (oil) that lubricates the skin and hair, helping to waterproof and protect against dryness and some microbes. This oily coating supports barrier integrity and comfort, reducing crack formation that could allow pathogen entry.

• Modified glands (ceruminous glands in the ear canal and mammary glands in the breast) serve specialized protective and nutritive roles; ceruminous glands produce earwax that protects the ear canal, while mammary glands provide milk for nourishment. These glands illustrate how skin-based tissues extend protective function beyond the surface skin.

• Overall, the integumentary system uses these glands to help maintain hydration, temperature balance, and immune defense, while contributing to the skin’s barrier against pathogens and mechanical damage.

If you’d like, I can tailor a concise study guide or a simple diagram description that explains where each gland type is located and its primary function.