Question

Which glands are common in male and females?

Answer 1

Hint: The endocrine glands lack ducts and pass their secretions into the surroundings blood for transport to the site of action and are also called as ductless glands or glands of internal secretion. The glands which have ducts for discharging their secretions onto the body surface or into the cavities in the body are called exocrine glands.

Complete answer:
There are many glands which are present in both males and females.
i) Accessory Glands – Bulbourethral glands or cowper’s glands are attached to the urethra below the prostate gland. They also secrete mucus fluid for the lubrication of the penis are homologous to the Bartholin’s glands found in females.
ii) Pituitary Glands – It is a pinkish pea sized gland, about 1.3 cm in diameter and weighing only 0.5 g. It is located in a bony cavity called sella turcica of the sphenoid bone of the skull, and attached to the hypothalamus by a stalk called the infundibulum. It controls the hormones in the body.
iii) Adrenal Glands – They are paired structures placed on the top of the kidney, hence are also called suprarenal glands. They are yellowish, conical bodies shaped like tricorn hats. It produces adrenaline, little quantities found in females too.
iv) Thymus Glands – It is a pinkish lobular structure located on the dorsal side of the heart and the aorta. It is composed of tiny lobules held together by connective tissue. Some spherical bodies are present in thymus and are called as Hassaal’s corpuscles.

Note: Human Endocrine System consists of three types of hormone secreting glandular structures – endocrine glands, heterocrine glands and mixed organs. The important endocrine bodies are pineal, pituitary, hypothalamus, thyroid, parathyroids, thymus, adrenal, pancreas and gonads. Some organs which are specialized to perform other functions also produce some hormones.