Mammary gland

The Mammary gland is the organ of the female mammal that produces milk for the sustenance of the young. They contain milk-secreting adaptations of sweat glands and are the characteristic of mammals which gave the class its name. They are rudimentary in both sexes until puberty when in response to ovarian hormones, they begin to develop in the female.

Related Topics:
Milk - Sweat gland - Mammal - Puberty - Ovarian - Hormones

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The basic components of the mammary gland are the alveoli lined with milk-secreting epithelial cells and surrounded by myoepithelial cells and a rich capillary network. These alveoli join up to form lactiferous ducts that drain into openings in the areola.

Related Topics:
Alveoli - Epithelial cells - Myoepithelial cells - Capillary - Lactiferous ducts - Areola

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In human females (and males) there are usually two mammary glands, one in each breast, although polythelia (accessory nipples) and polymastia (accessory glands) can occur anywhere along the two milk lines from the knee to the neck. The milk lines are two roughly-parallel lines along the front of the body along which mammary glands and nipples may develop. They are easier to visualize on dogs or cats, where there are from 3 to 5 pairs of nipples following the milk lines. In general most mammals develop mammary glands in pairs along these lines, with a number approximating the number of young typically birthed at a time.

Related Topics:
Breast - Polythelia - Accessory nipples - Polymastia - Milk line

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