Your body contains several glands that are responsible for producing specialized substances such as hormones and other compounds. Each of these glands produces substances for different purposes, and some glands even produce substances of different types. It can be difficult to remember which gland is associated with which type of secretion, so read on to learn more about the glands and their types of secretion.

Salivary Glands

The salivary glands produce saliva, which is a watery substance that helps to moisten and lubricate the mouth. Saliva is mostly made up of electrolytes, water, and enzymes, which help to break down food in the mouth. Salivariary gland cancer is a rare cancer that starts in these glands, and there are different types of benign tumors that can form in the salivary glands as well.

Pancreatic Islets

The pancreatic islets, also known as the Islets of Langerhans, are clusters of cells in the pancreas. These cells produce hormones such as insulin and glucagon, which help regulate the body’s blood sugar levels. The pancreatic islets do not produce any type of secretion, so they do not match this title.

Thyroid Gland

The thyroid gland is located in the neck and is responsible for producing hormones to help regulate the body’s metabolism. It produces two main hormones, thyroxine and triiodothyronine, that help regulate the body’s energy usage. The thyroid gland does not produce any type of secretion, so it does not match this title.

Hypothalamus

The hypothalamus is a region of the brain responsible for regulating several different processes in the body, including hunger, thirst, emotions, and body temperature. It also controls the secretion of many of the hormones that are produced by the anterior pituitary gland. The hypothalamus does not produce any type of secretion, so it does not match this title.