What term describes glands like the liver and pancreas that secrete both endocrine and exocrine substances?

The term that best describes glands such as the liver and pancreas, which secrete both endocrine and exocrine substances, is heterocrine. Heterocrine glands possess characteristics of both endocrine glands, which release hormones directly into the bloodstream, and exocrine glands, which secrete substances through ducts to specific sites, such as digestive enzymes being secreted by the pancreas into the digestive tract.

The liver contributes to various endocrine functions, like producing hormones and proteins that regulate metabolism, while also performing exocrine functions like bile secretion for digestion. This duality in function is captured by the term heterocrine, emphasizing the unique ability of certain glands to perform both types of secretion.

Other terms, such as merocrine and apocrine, describe specific methods of secretion, rather than the gland's capacity to secrete both types of substances. Endocrine, while referring to glands that primarily secrete hormones, does not encompass those glands that also release substances through ducts. Thus, heterocrine accurately reflects the dual role of glands like the liver and pancreas.