Skip to content

Gland: Mammary

The human mammary gland is divided into three primary components: skin, parenchyma, and stroma.

Anatomy, Thorax: Mammary Gland - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf mammary gland

The is a highly specialized exocrine organ and a defining characteristic of mammals, primarily functioning to synthesize, secrete, and deliver milk for neonatal nourishment . Morphologically, it is a modified apocrine sweat gland located in the superficial fascia of the anterior chest wall. While present in both sexes, it typically remains rudimentary in males and becomes functional only in females following puberty and pregnancy. Anatomical Structure The human mammary gland is divided into three