The Female Reproductive System - Mammary Glands

Mummary glands:

• The mammary glands are modified sweat glands present in both sexes.
• It is rudimentary in the males and functional in the females.
• A pair of mammary glands are located in the thoracic region.
• It contains glandular tissue and variable quantities of fat with a median nipple surrounded by a pigmented area called the areola.
• Several sebaceous glands called the areolar glands are found on the surface and they reduce cracking of the skin of the nipple.
• The glandular tissue of each breast is divided into 15-20 mammary lobes containing clusters of cells called alveoli.
• Each lobe is made up of lobules which contain acini or alveoli lined by epithelial cells.
• The cells of alveoli secrete milk, which is stored in the cavities (lumens) of alveoli.
• The alveoli open into mammary tubules. The tubules of each lobe join to form a mammary duct. Several mammary ducts join to form a wider mammary ampulla which is connected to the lactiferous duct through which milk is sucked out by the baby. 
• Each lactiferous duct opens separately by a minute pore on the surface of the nipple.  
• Mammary glands produce a nutritive fluid, milk for the nourishment of young ones.
• Milk protects the young ones from various infections up to some months after birth.
• The mammary glands of the female undergo differentiation during pregnancy and start producing milk towards the end of pregnancy by the process called lactation. This helps the mother in feeding the new born.
• Breastfeeding during the initial period of infant growth is recommended by doctors for bringing up a healthy baby. 
• Normal development of the breast begins at puberty and progresses with changes during each menstrual cycle.
• In non-pregnant women, the glandular structure is largely underdeveloped and the breast size is largely due to amount of fat deposits. The size of the breast does not have an influence on the efficiency of lactation.