Mammary Gland -- These epidermal derivatives are considered functionally to be part of the reproductive system.

Examine the diagram of the mammary gland, noting the lactiferous ducts and sinuses which converge at the nipple.

Examine sections of breast during three different functional stages; resting breast, active mammary gland from a pregnant breast and lactating breast. Compare and contrast changes in the epithelium and connective tissue at each functional stage.

• At low power, identify the fibrous support tissue, larger branches of lactiferous ducts, plasma cells, and adipose tissue and lobules of secretory acini.

• At higher power, examine the epithelium of the secretory acini (or alveoli) of cells with round nuclei and the surrounding myoepithelial cells with more oval-shaped nuclei (lacking nucleoli), but inside the basement membrane.

More about the breast.