apocrine

ap·o·crine  (p-krn, -krn, -krn)

adj.

Relating to a type of glandular secretion in which the apical portion of the secreting cell is released along with the secretory products.

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[Probably from Greek apokrnein, to set apart : apo-, apo- + krnein, to separate; see krei- in Indo-European roots.]

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apocrine [ˈæpəkraɪn -krɪn]

adj

(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Biochemistry) denoting a type of glandular secretion in which part of the secreting cell is lost with the secretion, as in mammary glands Compare merocrine, holocrine

[from apo- + -crine, from Greek krinein to separate]

Thesaurus

Adj.

1.

apocrine - (of exocrine glands) producing a secretion in which part of the secreting cell is released with the secretion; "mother's milk is one apocrine secretion" eccrine - (of exocrine glands) producing a clear aqueous secretion without releasing part of the secreting cell; important in regulating body temperature