Mammary Gland Development
Question 1. Describe the development of the breast/mammary gland in brief.
Answer.
- The mammary gland develops in the pectoral region from the milk line.
- The milk line is a linear thickening of surface ectoderm that appears in the 4th week of intrauterine life.
- The milk line extends from the axilla to the inguinal region on the ventral aspect of the body wall of the embryo.
- The fibrofatty stroma of the breast develops from the underlying mesoderm.
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“Importance of studying mammary gland development for medical students: Questions explained”
Question 2. Enumerate the congenital anomalies of the breast.
Answer.
- Polymastia: Supernumerary breasts
- Amastia: Absence of breast (rare)
- Athelia: Absence of nipple
- Polythelia: Supernumerary nipples (commonly seen in the axilla)
“Factors influencing success with mammary gland development studies: Q&A”
Question 3. Discuss the microscopic/histological structure of the mammary gland.
Answer.
- The mammary gland is a modified sweat gland of apocrine variety. It is also called a serous, tubuloalveolar gland according to the nature of secretion and secretory units.
- The histological structure of mammary gland differs according to its physiological status, i.e. (a) nonlactating and (b) lactating.

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Differences Between Nonlactating and Lactating Breast

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