(せん)

せん
noun
gland
1. gland
An organ or group of cells in the body that produces and secretes substances such as hormones, sweat, or saliva. Used in medical and biological contexts.
甲状(こうじょう)(せん)検査(けんさ)()けた。
I had my thyroid gland examined.
(あせ)(せん)から(あせ)分泌(ぶんぴつ)される。
Sweat is secreted from the sweat glands.
唾液(だえき)(せん)()れて食事(しょくじ)のときに(いた)みを(かん)じるので、病院(びょういん)()くことにした。
My salivary glands are swollen and I feel pain when eating, so I decided to go to the hospital.

USAGE:
Rarely used alone; almost always appears as a suffix combined with the type of gland. Note the kanji (せん) contains the (にくづき) radical (flesh/body) plus (いずみ) (spring), reflecting its meaning as a bodily source of fluids.

COMMON COMPOUNDS:

  • 甲状(こうじょう)(せん) (thyroid gland)
  • (あせ)(せん) (sweat gland)
  • 唾液(だえき)(せん) (salivary gland)
  • (にゅう)(せん) (mammary gland)
  • 前立(ぜんりつ)(せん) (prostate gland)
  • リンパ(せん) (lymph gland)