Introduction
Sebaceous glands on the testes show up as small, whitish spots in the entire scrotum and may also appear on the penis. They are found in the area of the testicles – but can also be found in all other parts of the body where hair growth is present. In a few cases, these glands become hardened and enlarged, which is often perceived as unaesthetic. In general, however, it can be said that normal and also enlarged sebaceous glands in the area of the testicles are not associated with any pathological events.
The Anatomy
Sebaceous glands are glands that can be found all over the body and are usually attached to hair. They are located in the dermis (corium) and enter the hair follicle, where their oily secretion is released to the skin surface. In addition to the scalp, nose and ears, the genital area is one of the most common sites of sebaceous glands.
As a rule, the sebaceous glands are also found in the area of the testicles, tied to hair. There they permanently release a slightly oily secretion, which is deposited on the skin as a protective layer and prevents the skin from drying out. The sebaceous glands are located at regular intervals from each other – on average, about 40 sebaceous glands can be found per square centimeter of skin.
The function
The main function of sebaceous glands is to prevent the skin from drying out. The majority of sebaceous glands are attached to hair, but there are also free sebaceous glands that are not attached to hair. The sebaceous glands produce a secretion containing fat, which is called sebum.
The sebum consists of various fats, such as triglycerides, fatty acids, waxes, cholesterol and also proteins. The regular repulsion of the sebum to the surface of the skin protects it both from dehydration and from external influences such as pathogens. The production of sebum depends on various factors, including age, sex, hormones and nutrition.
Male sex hormones, such as testosterone, promote sebum production, whereas female sex hormones, such as estrogens, tend to inhibit sebum production. It can also be said that sebum production generally decreases with increasing age. This is one of the reasons why the skin of older people is drier and usually more susceptible to injuries and pathogens.