Pertaining to the process of secreting outwardly through a duct to the surface of an organ or tissue or into a vessel.

• A. Adhesions
• B. Cholestasis
• C. Exocrine
• D. Fecalith

Answer: (C)

Exocrine secretion describes glands that release their products through ducts to an epithelial surface or into a hollow organ or vessel. This ductal, surface-directed release distinguishes it from endocrine glands, which secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream. The term fitting the description—secreting outwardly through a duct to a surface or into a vessel—is exocrine, because it specifies ductal transport to a surface or lumen. For example, saliva from salivary glands travels through ducts to the mouth, and pancreatic enzymes are released into the small intestine via the pancreatic duct. The other terms don’t fit: adhesions are fibrous bands connecting tissues; cholestasis is impaired bile flow; a fecalith is a hardened mass of stool.