apocrine sweat gland [Gk, apo, from, krinein, to separate] , one of the large dermal sudoriferous glands located in the axillary, anal, genital, and mammary areas of the body. Apocrine sweat glands open into the upper portion of a hair follicle instead of onto the skin’s surface. Becoming functional only after puberty, they secrete perspiration containing nutrients consumed by skin bacteria. The bacterial waste products produce a characteristic odor. Compare eccrine gland. See also sudoriferous gland.
