mammary gland

noun

1. any of the compound accessory reproductive organs of female mammals that occur in pairs on the chest or ventral surface and contain milk-producing lobes with ducts that empty into an external nipple, becoming functional when young are born and secreting milk for the duration of suckling.

mammary gland

noun

1. any of the milk-producing glands in mammals. In higher mammals each gland consists of a network of tubes and cavities connected to the exterior by a nipple

mammary gland

/ măm′ə-rē /

1. One of the glands in female mammals that produces milk. It is present but undeveloped in the male. In most animals, the gland opens onto the surface by means of a nipple or teat. Mammary glands number from 2 to 20, depending on the species.

Word History and Origins

Origin of mammary gland¹

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

The appearance of the virus in mammary glands — in cattle and even in non lactating mice — was also unexpected.

From New York Times

In two of the tested mice, the virus was found in the mammary glands.

From Salon

Researchers had discovered antibodies against H5N1 in a slice of a mammary gland.

From Salon

“And this preprint said that cows have both avian and human receptors in the mammary glands as well as other areas of the cow, which may suggest that they're a mixing vessel.”

From Salon

It is produced by bacteria that live in the mammary glands of cows, but microbes in the human gut produce similar lantibiotics too.

From Science Daily