Mammary glands are the organs that, in the female mammal, produce milk for the sustenance of the young. The chief function of the mammary glands is to provide milk and nourishment to the newborn. The mammary glands function in males and females is quite easy to understand. Milk which is synthesized in one gland cannot pass over to any of the other glands. The right and left side of the udder are also separated by a median ligament, while the front and … The human mammary gland is composed of 15-20 lobes that secrete milk into a branching duct system opening at the nipple. These ducts exit from sac-like structures called lobules. Even though different mammals have different numbers, locations, and structures of mammae pairs, how they work is essentially the same. Milk is produced in milk-secreting cells in the alveoli. Those lobes are themselves composed of a number of terminal duct lobular units made of secretory alveoli and converging ducts. Mammary gland function revolves around the production, storage, and secretion of milk. In mice, a similar architecture is observed at pregn … Function is to separate mammry gland lobes and lobules, anchor the breast tissue to the underlying muscle tissues Adipose connective tissue Function is to store lipids, insulate and protect mammary glands. When suckling by the young stops, milk production ceases and the gland … The mammary gland of the dairy cow consists of four separate glands each with a teat. Extent : Vertically from 2nd to 6th rib and horizontally from lateral border of the sternum to the mid-axillary line . With the birth of the first young, and first lactation, the mammary gland attains its full size and function. Overview of Mammary Gland Development. Mammary Gland Function. For example, … Though they may produce milk (at least witch’s milk) in both the genders, the breasts play a more significant role in the sexual and parental life of female humans. Mammary gland is a modified sweat gland situated in the superficial fascia of pectoral region. In other words, the female mammary glands are the breasts. When the breasts are stimulated by the suckling of her baby, the mother's brain secretes oxytocin. What Are the Common Diseases of the Mammary System in Cats? Mastitis is inflammation or infection of the mammary glands. It occurs most commonly in the lactating or pseudopregnant animal. The lobules in the breast are the glands that can produce milk in females when they receive the appropriate hormonal stimulation. For example, the term mammary duct ectasia would refer to a process occurring in the breast duct, in this case, a dilated and blocked milk duct. SYMPOSIUM: MAMMARY GLAND FUNCTION DURING INVOLUTION AND THE DECLINING PHASE OF LACTATION Mammary Gland Function During Involution W. L. HURLEY Department of Animal Sciences University of Illinois Urbana 61801 The process of mammary gland invo- lution occurs during the transition from a lactating to a nonlactating state. A small extension called axillary tail of Spence pierces deep fascia and lies in the axilla. Within the mammary gland there is a complex network of branching ducts (tubes or channels). Other words using mammary define structures found within the mammary glands or breasts. Undeveloped in both the male and female at birth, the female mammary gland begins to develop as a secondary sex characteristic at puberty. The breast ducts transport milk from the lobules out to the nipple. Mouse mammary gland development occurs during embryogenesis, puberty, and pregnancy (Figure 2) (9,– 11).During embryogenesis mammary gland development begins at Embryonic day (E) 10.5 and is completed by E18.5, at which time a rudimentary structure is formed consisting of a nipple and a primary duct with 10–15 side branches. The primary function of the breasts, as mammary glands, is the nourishing of an infant with breast milk.