The skin contains two ifferent groups of sweat glands: apocrine sweat glands and merocrine sweat glands. Both gland types contain myoepithelial cells (from Latin myo-, "muscle"), specialized epithelial cells located between the gland cells and the underlying basal lamina. Myoepithelial cell contractions squeeze the gland and discharge the accumulated secretions. The secretory activities of the gland cells and the contractions of myoepithelial cells are controlled by both the autonomic nervous system and by the circulating hormones.