Q.What is the role of sebaceous glands?

Sebaceous glands in the skin release an oily secretion called sebum.

• Through sebum, they help eliminate substances such as sterols, hydrocarbons and waxes from the body. …

Along with sweat glands, sebaceous glands are one of the two kinds of skin glands that contribute to excretion.

• Their secretion, sebum, is an oily substance through which the body eliminates sterols, hydrocarbons and waxes. …

Method: Describing the Role/Function of an Accessory Excretory Gland

This method applies to any "what is the role/function of gland X" question about an accessory skin gland or similar structure that does more than one job.

Steps

Step 1: Identify the gland's primary, non-excretory role

Start with the function the gland exists for FIRST — sebaceous glands primarily produce sebum to lubricate and protect the skin surface, which is not itself an excretory function.

Step 2: Identify what excretory by-products ride along with that primary secretion

Ask what waste substances the same secretion happens to carry out of the body as a side effect of doing its primary job — for sebum, this is sterols, hydrocarbons and waxes.

Step 3: State both roles together, since these glands are typically dual-purpose …