Final answer:
A compound alveolar gland is an exocrine gland with a branched structure, having sac-like secretory areas called alveoli. Examples include parts of the pancreas where enzymes and other substances are secreted.
Step-by-step explanation:
Compound alveolar describes an exocrine gland that has a branched secretory structure. In this context, a gland is a collection of cells that synthesize and secrete substances; when these glands have ducts, they are referred to as exocrine. Compound glands are divided into branches, as opposed to simple glands that have a single duct. Particularly in compound alveolar (or acinar) glands, the secretory areas form sac-like pockets known as alveoli. These alveoli are similar to the alveoli in the lungs, which are air sacs involved in gas exchange. In the case of the exocrine portion of the pancreas, for instance, these pocket-like alveoli are where enzymes and other substances are secreted into ducts that then lead to the target site.
A compound alveolar gland is a type of gland that has a combination of tubes and pockets, also known as tubuloalveolar compound glands. These glands have a secretory structure in which the duct is divided into one or more branches and is connected to more than one group of secretory cells.