Mammary glands
Mammary Glands
Mammary glands (/mæˈmɛri/; from Latin mamma, "breast") are the organs that, in the female mammal, produce milk for the sustenance of the young. These exocrine glands are enlarged and modified sweat glands and are the characteristic of mammals which gave the class its name.
Etymology
The term "mammary" is derived from the Latin word mamma, which means "breast". The word "gland" comes from the Latin glandula, meaning a small acorn, due to the shape of certain glands.
Anatomy
Mammary glands are composed of lobules, each of which is made up of several smaller lobes. The lobes contain alveoli, which are the milk-producing cells. The alveoli are surrounded by myoepithelial cells, which contract to expel milk from the alveoli into the ductal system, from where it is secreted via the nipple.
Function
The primary function of mammary glands is to produce milk, a process known as lactation. This is triggered by hormonal changes in the body during pregnancy and after childbirth. The milk provides nutrition and immune protection for the newborn.
Related Terms
- Lactation: The process by which milk is synthesized and secreted from the mammary glands of a postpartum female in response to an infant sucking at the nipple.
- Breast: In humans, the mammary glands are located in the breasts. The breast is both a mammary gland that produces milk and a sexually dimorphic characteristic.
- Mastitis: An infection of the mammary gland, which can result in breast pain, swelling, warmth and redness, as well as fever and chills.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Mammary glands
- Wikipedia's article - Mammary glands
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