gland

an organ or group of CELLS that secretes a specific substance or substances, e.g. hormones. ENDOCRINE GLANDS secrete directly into the blood, while exocrine glands secrete on to an epithelial surface via a duct. Some glands produce fluids, for example, milk from the mammary glands, saliva from the sublingual gland. The THYROID GLAND is an endocrine gland that releases hormones into the bloodstream. A further system of glands, the lymphatic glands, occur throughout the body in association with the lymphatic vessels (see LYMPH ).