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Glite Dictionary
sebaceous follicle

sebaceous follicle

6.9
A small skin gland that makes oil and sends it into a hair follicle to protect hair
  • noun
  • /sɪˈbeɪʃəs ˈfɒlɪkəl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : folículo sebáceo
  • Sebum is secreted by each sebaceous follicle to protect and moisturize the skin.

Examples

  • The dermatologist explained how a blocked sebaceous follicle leads to the formation of pimples.

  • Excess activity in the sebaceous follicle can contribute to oily skin and acne.

  • The sebaceous follicle produces oil to keep the skin hydrated.

  • Many people have clogged sebaceous follicles that lead to acne.

  • Sebum is secreted by each sebaceous follicle to protect and moisturize the skin.

  • The dermatologist explained how a blocked sebaceous follicle leads to the formation of pimples.

  • Many people have clogged sebaceous follicles that lead to acne.

Synonyms

follicle
vssebaceous follicle
  • Specialized
25 6.8

A small bag in the body that holds a growing hair or an egg

is a specific sebum secreting skin structure not any general cell cavity
sebaceous gland
vssebaceous follicle
  • Specialized
1 5.9

A small part under the skin that makes oil to keep hair and skin soft

is the same sebum producing skin structure but named for hair anatomy

Surface Forms

sebaceous follicle singular
sebaceous follicles plural

Morphology

sebaceous + follicle

The noun phrase is compositionally built from 'sebaceous' (relating to oily/greasy substances) + 'follicle' (a small cellular cavity or gland), so a learner who knows both words can infer an oil-related gland or cavity in the skin. This is a regular adjective+noun compound with direct semantic combination (and common cognates in other languages), making the meaning derivable without prior exposure.

Etymology

Sebaceous follicle combines words that describe its job: sebaceous means 'oil' or fat and follicle means a small pouch by a hair. This tiny oil-making pouch releases oil to protect and keep the skin and hair soft, so the name reminds us it is an oil gland.