milk gland

mam·ma·ry gland

[TA]

the potential and active compound, alveolar, mostly merocrine (with possible apocrine components) milk-secreting gland lying within the breast; it comprises 15-24 lobes, each consisting of many lobules, separated by adipose tissue and fibrous septa; the parenchyma of the resting postpubertal female gland consists of ducts; the alveoli develop only during pregnancy and remain active until weaning; normally, the gland remains rudimentary (undistinguishable from its childhood state) in men.
See also: breast (2).

Synonym(s): glandula mammaria [TA], lactiferous gland, milk gland

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

milk gland

1. see MAMMARY GLAND.
2. a nutrient gland in the ‘uterus’ of viviparous species of insects, such as the tse-tse fly.

Collins Dictionary of Biology, 3rd ed. © W. G. Hale, V. A. Saunders, J. P. Margham 2005