Morphology of the Mammary Gland Br. Marcela Acosta Br. Andrés Ramírez

Introduction In mammals the mammary gland assumes a paramount roll as both the site of milk synthesis and secretion and the sensory organ which regulation of the whole process largely depends.

Milk Is produced by the mammary epithelium, a single-cell layer arranged in numerous spherical alveoli, into the hollow lumina of which the milk is secreted.

Nipple cistern

Myoepithelial cell Arteriole Venule

Innervation Mammary innervation is principally of two types: 1-. Sensory nerves originating from tactile receptors in the skin. 2-. Sympathetic motor nerves innervating contractil tissues of the blood vessels. Myoepithelial cells are not innervated.

Ultraestructure

Myoepithelial cells

Vocabulary Epithelium Alveoli Lobules Suckling Stroma Parenchyma Myoepithelial cells Microvilli Exocytosis Smooth muscle cells Anastomoses Sympathetic motor nerves

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