Anatomy of Mammary Glands

Question 1

What do the mammary gland secrete?

Answer 1

Milk for nourishment of infant

Question 2

Where are the mammary glands found?

Answer 2

Lie in subcutaneous tissue of pectoral fat pad

- ducts of glands open onto body surface through nipple

Question 3

Describe the features of the mammary glands

Answer 3

• Separate lobes, each containing separate secretory lobules
• Ducts leaving lobules converge, giving rise to single lactiferous duct in each lobe
• Duct enlarges near nipple into lactiferous sinus
• Duct system surrounded by dense CT, forming partitions - suspensory ligaments of the breast
• Layer of adipose tissue separates mammary gland complex from underlying pectoralis muscles

Question 4

What is the blood supply to each mammary gland?

Answer 4

Branches of internal thoracic artery

Question 5

Compare active vs resting mammary glands

Answer 5

Active
- tubuloalveolar glands

Resting

• dominated by duct system rather than glandular cells
• secretory apparatus does not complete its development until pregnancy occurs