How to Pronounce Apocrine Glands

Say it like this: AP-oh-krin glandz. The first syllable 'AP' gets the stress, so you say it a bit louder and longer than the other parts. The word rhymes roughly with 'cape' for the first part, then 'oh' like in 'go,' then 'krin' like 'grin.'

Many people accidentally stress the second syllable and say 'uh-POH-krin' instead of 'AP-oh-krin.' Another common mistake is saying 'apuh-CREEN' with the stress in the wrong place. Remember: the stress belongs on that first syllable, AP.

Break it into four syllables: AP-oh-krin-ee. Wait—actually, when you say it in the medical term 'apocrine glands,' it's usually three syllables: AP-oh-krin. The word 'glands' is just one syllable: glandz.

It comes from Greek roots: 'apo' means 'away from' and 'krinein' means 'to separate or secrete.' So the word literally describes something that separates or releases material away from a cell. This makes sense because these glands release their sweat into hair follicles.

These are special sweat glands found in specific body areas like armpits and the groin. Unlike regular sweat glands all over your body, apocrine glands make a thicker type of sweat and connect to hair follicles instead of opening directly on the skin.

You might hear 'apocrine sweat' or 'apocrine secretion.' There's also 'eccrine glands,' which is the opposite—those are the regular sweat glands that don't connect to hair follicles. Both words use Greek roots to describe different types of glands.

Here's an example: 'The doctor explained that apocrine glands are located in the armpits and groin area.' Another one: 'Unlike eccrine sweat glands, apocrine glands open into hair follicles rather than directly onto the skin surface.'

Yes, doctors and scientists sometimes just say 'apocrine glands' shortened to 'apocrine' (AP-oh-krin), or they might write 'apocrine' on its own when the context makes it clear they mean the glands. There isn't really a standard abbreviation like you'd see with some other medical terms.