Eccrine vs apocrine sweat glands: interactive diagram
Compare eccrine and apocrine sweat glands in two original skin cutaways. Highlight the coiled gland, duct and opening to see a surface pore versus a hair follicle.
Free to use · Part of Playbook 03
03
The main difference to follow here is where the duct opens. These simplified drawings explain general anatomy; they cannot identify the cause of your own sweating or body odor.
Follow the anatomy
Choose a part to compare
Advance by hand. Arrows indicate the route toward the surface, not flow speed. A white outline highlights the selected part.
What to notice
Two sweat glands, different openings
Follow each coiled gland upward. The eccrine duct reaches a surface pore. The apocrine sweat duct joins a hair follicle below the surface.
Surface pore route
Eccrine sweat gland
The duct reaches the skin surface directly.
Coiled gland→Duct→Surface pore
Hair follicle route
Apocrine sweat gland
The duct joins a follicle below the surface.
Coiled gland→Duct→Hair follicle
Separate schematics make the routes easier to compare. Both types can be present in the underarms. Drawings omit other skin structures and do not show actual gland size, number or spacing.
Keep the distinction clear
Eccrine and apocrine glands, side by side
Opening
EccrineA duct opens directly at the skin surface.
Apocrine sweat glandA duct opens into a hair follicle beneath the surface.
Secretion
EccrineMostly water and electrolytes.
Apocrine sweat glandA thicker secretion. It is initially odorless; bacterial breakdown can contribute to odor.
Cooling
EccrineEccrine sweat helps cool the body when it evaporates.
Apocrine sweat glandApocrine sweat glands have a much smaller role in cooling.
Location
EccrineDistributed widely, including underarms, palms and soles.
Apocrine sweat glandFound in certain areas, including underarms and around the genital area.
Odor and sweat volume are different things. This comparison does not attribute all odor or stress-related sweating to one gland type.
Make the most of this tool
Follow the gland, duct and opening
Choose the overview or one of three anatomical parts to highlight it in both cutaways. Compare a duct that reaches a surface pore with one that joins a hair follicle. Hide or show drawing labels, read the full comparison notes, or print both labeled diagrams.
Do eccrine and apocrine sweat glands open in the same place?
Their ducts have different openings. An eccrine duct opens directly at the skin surface. An apocrine sweat duct opens into a hair follicle beneath the surface, and secretion then travels along the follicle toward the surface. The drawings show simplified routes rather than exact tissue dimensions.
Can this sweat-gland diagram explain my body odor or sweating?
It explains general anatomy and compares common features of these glands. It cannot identify the cause of your own odor, measure sweating or choose treatment. Both types can be present in the underarms; not all odor or stress-related sweating comes from one gland type.
Behind this tool
Research checked October 9, 2026. Original schematic illustrations based on the anatomical descriptions below. These diagrams do not reproduce source artwork or measure an individual’s skin.
