L3.3.4: Mammary Glands

• Mammary glands

  Present in both sexes, but normally function in women due to:

  ➔ Biological role of mammary glands to produce milk for nourishing a newborn baby

  ➔ Prolactin (hormone) is responsible for lactation, breast tissue development, and milk production

  ● Important after reproduction has been accomplished

  ● Increase in size during puberty due to the influence of female sex hormones, especially estrogens

  ● Modified sweat glands that are part of the skin

  ● Each gland is contained within a rounded-skin covered breast anterior to the pectoral muscles
• Parts of the mammary glands

  • Areola
  • Nipple
  • Lobes
  • Alveolar Glands
  • Lactiferous Ducts
  • Lactiferous Sinus
• Areola

  ○ Pigmented area that surrounds the nipple.
• Nipple

  ○ Protruding central area of areola
• Lobes

  ○ Internal structures that radiate around nipple

  ○ Lobules: Located within each lobe and contain clusters of alveolar glands.

  ○ Radiate around the nipple.

  ● Padded and separated from one another by connective tissue and fat
• Alveolar Glands

  ○ Produce milk when a woman is lactating (producing milk).
• Lactiferous Ducts

  ○ Connect alveolar glands to nipple

  ○ Milk from the areolar glands exit each lobule by passing through these ducts that open to the nipple.
• Lactiferous Sinus

  ○ Dilated portion where milk accumulates

  ○ Found deeper in the areola.

  ● Dilated region of each lactiferous duct accumulates during nursing
• external structures: areola, nipple

  internal structures: lobes, lobules, alveolar glands

  duct system: lactiferous ducts, lactiferous sinuses