Which glands are primarily affected in Cystic Fibrosis?

In Cystic Fibrosis, the primary glands affected are the exocrine glands. These glands are responsible for secreting substances directly to the surfaces of organs or onto the skin through ducts. In the context of Cystic Fibrosis, the most affected exocrine glands include the pancreas, sweat glands, and respiratory glands.

In individuals with Cystic Fibrosis, the exocrine glands produce thick, sticky mucus due to a malfunction in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. This abnormal secretion leads to blockages, resulting in various complications such as difficulty in digesting food, chronic lung infections, and excessive salt loss in sweat.

Understanding this connection is crucial because it highlights how the malfunction of this protein affects the secretions of these specific glands and the physiological consequences that follow. The condition does not primarily involve the endocrine glands, thyroid, or pituitary glands, which have different functions related to hormonal secretion rather than the secretion of external substances.