>> Sunday, May 20, 2018
Mammary
gland
|
Cross-section of the
mammary-gland.
1.
Chest wall
3.
Lobules
4.
Nipple
5.
Areola
6.
Milk duct
7.
Fatty tissue
|
A mammary
gland is
an exocrine gland in mammals that produces milk to
feed young offspring. Mammals get their name from the
Latin word mamma, "breast". The mammary glands are
arranged in organs such as
the breasts in primates (for example, humans and
chimpanzees), the udder in ruminants (for example, cows, goats, and deer), and the dugs of other animals (for example, dogs and cats). Lactorrhea, the occasional production of milk by the glands,
can occur in any mammal, but in most mammals lactation, the production of enough milk for nursing, occurs only in phenotypic females who have gestated in recent months or years. It is directed by
hormonal guidance from sex steroids. In a few mammalian
species, male lactation can
occur.
