Which type of glands produce sweat to help regulate body temperature?

Eccrine glands are specialized structures in the skin that play a critical role in thermoregulation, primarily through the production of sweat. These glands are abundant in areas such as the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and forehead. When the body's temperature rises due to external heat or physical exertion, the eccrine glands secrete a watery fluid that evaporates from the skin surface, aiding in cooling the body.

Eccrine sweat primarily consists of water, salt, and small amounts of other substances. This composition allows for efficient heat loss through the evaporation process. Unlike apocrine glands, which are associated with hair follicles and become active during puberty, eccrine glands function throughout life and are crucial for maintaining a stable internal body temperature in response to various environmental conditions.

In contrast, holocrine glands, such as sebaceous glands, secrete oily substances that lubricate the skin and hair, and are not involved in cooling the body. Apocrine glands, while also producing sweat, are more involved with scent and are activated primarily by stress rather than temperature regulation. Thus, eccrine glands are the primary type responsible for the cooling effect of sweat on the skin.