MAMMARY
GLANDS
Objectives
Discuss the shape and position of the breast.
Discuss the structure of the mammary gland.
Discuss the function:
lactation- drainage of the female breast
MAMMARY GLANDS
Mammary Glands exist in both sexes.
Rudimentary in males throughout life
Start developing at puberty in females
Most of the development occurs during
later months of pregnancy and lactation
MAMMARY GLANDS
MAMMARY GLANDS
Each breast contains a mammary gland that secretes milk
Mammary glands
Provide nourishment (milk) for developing infant
Milk production (lactation) controlled by hormones
released by the reproductive system and the placenta
Located on the anterior chest, directly over the
pectoralis major muscle
MAMMARY GLANDS
Structure of a mammary gland
Embedded in the subcutaneous tissue
of the pectoral fat pad deep to the
skin
Suspensory ligaments of the breast
Bands of dense connective tissue
Surround the duct system and
form partitions between lobes and
lobules
Glandular tissue divided into lobes
Each lobe has several secretory
lobules
Each lobule is composed of
secretory alveol
MAMMARY GLANDS
Structure of a mammary gland
Ducts from the lobules converge
into one lactiferous duct per lobe
Each lactiferous duct expands
near the nipple to form a
lactiferous sinus
Breast contains 15-20 lobes.
Fat covers the lobes and
shapes the breast.
Lobules fill each lobe
Sacs at the end of lobules
produce milk
Ducts deliver milk to the
nipple
MAMMARY GLANDS
Structure of a mammary gland
Nipple
Conical projection where 15–
20 lactiferous sinuses open
onto the body surface
The nipple lies opposite 4th
intercostal space.
Areola
Reddish-brown skin around
the nipple
Grainy texture from sebaceous
glands deep to the surface
The subcutaneous tissues of
nipple & areola are devoid of
fat
MAMMARY GLAND
Structure of mammary
glands
It is non capsulated
gland.
It has fibrous strands
(ligaments of cooper)
which connect the skin
with deep fascia of
pectoralis major.
Retromammary space.
What is its Importance?
MAMMARY GLAND
Parts, Shape & position of
the Gland
It is conical in shape.
It lies in superficial fascia
of the front of chest.
It has a base, apex and
tail.
Its base extends from
2nd to 6th ribs.
It extends from the
sternum to the
midaxillary line laterally.
It has no capsule
LACTATION
Anatomy and Physiology
Breast enlargement
During pregnancy and lactation indicates the mammary glands are
becoming functional
Breast size
before pregnancy
does not
determine the
amount of milk a
woman will
produce
LACTATION
Anatomy and Physiology
Hormones during pregnancy
Estrogen stimulates the ductile systems to
grow, then estrogen levels drop after birth
Progesterone increases the size of alveoli and
lobes
Prolactin contributes to increasing the breast
tissue during pregnancy
LACTATION
Anatomy and Physiology
Alveoli secrete milk and contract when
stimulated
Oxytocin stimulates milk secretion and is
released during the ‘let down’ or milk ejection
reflex
After let down, milk travels into the ductules,
then to the larger – lactiferous or mammary
ducts
LACTATION
Hormones during breastfeeding
Prolactin levels rise with nipple stimulation
Alveolar cells make milk in response to prolactin
when the baby sucks
Oxytocin causes the alveoli to squeeze the newly
produced milk into the duct system
LACTATION
LACTATION
LACTATION
Breast feeding Barriers
Early breastfeeding failures deprive infants of
the benefits, and leave many mothers
disappointed
It is a natural process, but many mothers need
a lot of help
BREAST DISORDER
Breast disorders
Changing hormone levels can cause inflammation of the
mammary gland tissues
Cysts
Formed if inflamed lobules are walled off by scar tissue
Fibrocystic disease
Condition in which clusters of cysts can be felt as
discrete masses
Benign condition, but biopsy may be needed to
distinguish masses from breast cancer
BREAST DISORDER
Breast cancer
Malignant metastasizing tumor of mammary gland
Leading cause of death in women ages 35–45
Most common in women over age 50
Notable risk factors
Family history of breast cancer
First pregnancy after age 30
Early menarche or late menopause
Treatment includes surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and
hormones
Surgical removal may involve removal of part or all of
mammary gland as well as axillary lymph nodes
BREAST DISORDER
BREAST
DISORDER
BREAST DISORDER
BREAST
DISORDER
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