write short notes on mammary gland.
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The mammary gland is a gland located in the breasts of females that is responsible for lactation, or the production of milk. Both males and females have glandular tissue within the breasts; however, in females the glandular tissue begins to develop after puberty in response to estrogen release.
The mammary gland is a gland located in the breasts of females that is responsible for lactation, or the production of milk. Both males and females have glandular tissue within the breasts; however, in females the glandular tissue begins to develop after puberty in response to estrogen release.
Listen to pronunciation. (MA-muh-ree) Glandular organ located on the chest. The mammary gland is made up of connective tissue, fat, and tissue that contains the glands that can make milk.
The structure of the mammary gland is divided into three parts, which include the skin, the parenchyma, and the stroma. Skin: It consists of a nipple and areola. Nipple – It is a conical eminence, present in the fourth intercostal space. 15 to 20 lactiferous ducts pierce the nipple.
The myoepithelial cells contract under the stimulation of oxytocin, excreting the milk secreted by alveolar units into the lobule lumen toward the nipple. As the infant begins to suck, the oxytocin-mediated "let down reflex" ensues and the mother's milk is secreted — not sucked from the gland — into the baby's mouth.
Progesterone stimulates the development of the duct system. During pregnancy, these hormones enhance further development of the mammary glands. Prolactin from the anterior pituitary stimulates the production of milk within the glandular tissue, and oxytocin causes the ejection of milk from the glands.
Mammary stem cells are multipotent adult stem cells that reside in the mammary gland, can self-renew by dividing and can differentiate into all specialised mammary epithelial cells. Mammary stem cells drive the development of the mammary gland during puberty and are responsible for its expansion during pregnancy.
The female reproductive hormones, estrogens, progesterone, and prolactin, have a major impact on breast cancer and control postnatal mammary gland development.