Modified sweat gland
Seen both in males and females
Rudimentary in males ; Accessory organ of female reproductive system
FUNCTIONALLY important in providing nutrition for the new born in the form of milk
Well developed in females after puberty
STRUCTURE of Mammary Gland
Skin ; Parenchyma ; Stroma
SKIN
NIPPLE conical projection pierced by 15 to 20 lactiferous glands at the level of 4th intercostal cartilage---Rich nerve supply
AREOLA pigmented circular area of skin surrounding base of nipple.Montgomery’s tubercles( Lubrication.
PARENCHYMA
Glandular tissue
15 to 20 lobes
Lobules/ intra and interlobular ducts
Each lobe –cluster of alveoli drained by lactiferous duct
Each duct has a dilatation near its end called lactiferous sinus
STROMA
Supporting framework
Partly fibrous and partly fatty
Suspensory ligaments of Cooper
Fat forms bulk of the gland –absent below nipple and areola
Blood Supply is by internal mammary and intercostal vessels ;
Lymphatic drainage -Axillary group of lymph nodes;
Nerve Supplyis perforating branches of 4th to 6th intercostal nerves.
