An organ in the body that makes and releases substances like hormones, sweat, or saliva.
From French *glande* “gland, tonsil,” from Latin *glans* “acorn,” because some glands look like small nuts. The term was extended in anatomy to cover many secreting organs. It now applies to both endocrine (hormone) and exocrine (like sweat) structures.
Your glands are tiny chemical factories silently running your life — mood, growth, hunger, and stress all depend on them. The acorn comparison is apt: small packages with huge potential effects on the whole ‘tree’ of your body.
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