Sebaceous gland

Schematic view of hair follicle and sebaceous gland
Cross-section of all skin layers. A hair follicle with associated structures. (Sebaceous glands labeled at center left.)
Identifiers
MeSH	D012627
TA98	A16.0.00.030 A15.2.07.044
TA2	7082
FMA	59160
Anatomical terminology [edit on Wikidata]

A sebaceous gland or oil gland^[1] is a microscopic exocrine gland in the skin that opens into a hair follicle to secrete an oily or waxy matter, called sebum, which lubricates the hair and skin of mammals.^[2] In humans, sebaceous glands occur in the greatest number on the face and scalp, but also on all parts of the skin except the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. In the eyelids, meibomian glands, also called tarsal glands, are a type of sebaceous gland that secrete a special type of sebum into tears. Surrounding the female nipples, areolar glands are specialized sebaceous glands for lubricating the nipples. Fordyce spots are benign, visible, sebaceous glands found usually on the lips, gums and inner cheeks, and genitals.