Mammary Gland

By

Azure Qian

The mammary glands are common to found on mammals. Humans typically have two complex mammary glands, one in each breast, each complex gland consists of several simple glands. They are like modified sweat glands. The mammary glands' structure may vary with different species and may vary with pregnancy. The mammary gland consists of an epithelial bilayer and the cells on it support a tissue called Cooper ligaments.

 Alveoli is a basic component of a mammary gland. The alveolus join together to form groups, referred to as lobules. The function of lobules is to drain into openings in the nipple. The alveolus excreting milk under the stimulation of hormone. Some other components are chest wall, pectoralis muscles, nipple, areola, milk duct, fatty tissue, skin and so on. They together form a complex mammary gland.

The mammary glands exhibit striking secretion. When the infant begins to suck, the hormone, called "oxytocin-mediated" stimulate the myoepithelial cells and the mother begins to secrete milk into the infant's mouth.

Reference URL's:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mammary_gland

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/mammary-gland