Mammary Gland (Fig. 22-23) -- considered functionally to be part of the female reproductive system.

Examine the diagram of the mammary gland, noting the lactiferous ducts and sinuses which converge at the nipple (Fig. 22-23).

Examine a section of an active mammary gland from a pregnant, woman (slide 108).

• At low power, identify the fibrous support tissue, larger branches of lactiferous ducts, plasma cells, and adipose tissue and lobules of secretory acini (Fig. 22-24 and 22-25).
• 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 (Figs. 22-25 and 22-26).

What type of epithelium lines the lactiferous ducts?

How does the breast tissue on this slide differ from mammary tissue before puberty?

More about the breast.