rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryglandularRelating to glands
adjective

glandular

GLAN-juh-ler/ˈɡlændʒələr/

Relating to organs that produce and release substances.

The cutaway shows glandular tissue feeding a common duct.

An isolated anatomical cutaway of a salivary gland shows clustered secretory lobules feeding branching ducts that converge into one outlet, with a clear droplet emerging.
Etymology
glandulFrenchsmall gland
+arFrenchrelating to

The “small gland” base goes back to a Latin name for a tonsil, literally “little acorn.” That anatomical name broadened from tonsils to glands generally, the secretory organs described by glandular.

In context

Corporis6:34
We call these kinds of cells glandular epithelium, and when we get a bunch of them together, they can form full organs like the thyroid gland.
Epithelial Tissue Histology Explained for Beginners | Corporis

More examples

  • The diagram identified glandular tissue.
  • The report described changes in glandular activity.
  • The lecture examined several glandular organs.

Forms

glandular

Similar words

secretory
Secretory describes producing or releasing substances; glandular identifies the organs or tissue doing so.
endocrine
Endocrine concerns hormone secretion into the bloodstream; glandular also includes glands with ducts.