mammary gland

American  

noun

mammary glands plural

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.

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mammary gland British  

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

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mammary gland Scientific  

/ 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.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• mammary glands
  plural

Etymology

Origin of mammary gland

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

mammary gland

They don't need to: the pups will happily take turns being nursed from the same mammary gland, and this devoted and well-cared-for mother spends plenty of time with each of her many, many beloved children.

From Salon ● May 11, 2025

The researchers found that the microbiota and mammary gland miRNA are related and that flaxseed lignans modify the relationship to be non-cancer causing.

From Science Daily ● Dec. 7, 2023

Professor Wilmut was among the leaders of a team that used a cell from the mammary gland of a dead adult sheep to create a living animal that was genetically identical to the donor.

From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2023

Last year, the EWG recommended 1 ppt for all PFAS, citing Grandjean’s work along with other research associating the compounds with delayed mammary gland development in rodents.

From The Guardian ● Sep. 24, 2020

The construction of the mammary gland is also peculiar in the Monotremes.

From The Evolution of Man — Volume 2 by Haeckel, Ernst Heinrich Philipp August