Sebaceous glands are simple or branched glands which develop from the external root sheath of hair follicles, or less commonly, from the epidermis directly. The latter are found in hairless regions:
They are holocrine glands: glandular cells fill with fatty products include triglycerides, fatty acids and cholesterol, before dying and being secreted into the upper part of the follicle. The secretion, termed sebum, coats the hair and skin. It has many functions:
Sebaceous glands are stimulated by androgenic hormones. The pubertal hormonal burst predisposes the teenager to acne.
Hoover E. Physiology, Sebaceous Glands. StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan.
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