Terminology Service for NFDI4Health

mammary gland

Go to external page http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/UBERON_0001911


A specialized accessory gland of the skin of mammals that secretes milk. The gland is typically only developed in females, and regresses in males. [ http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6601-2165 http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/BTO_0000817 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mammary_gland ]

Term info

Label

mammary gland

Synonyms
  • glandula mammaria
  • lactiferous gland
database cross reference
Subsets

uberon_slim, efo_slim, pheno_slim, organ_slim

plural term
mammae

latin term
glandula mammaria [ FMA : 57983 FMA : TA ]

depicted by

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/64/Illu_breast_anatomy.jpg

editor note

Originally this was classified as a female reproductive structure, as it was in the MP in 2011

external definition

Any of the milk-producing apocrine glands typically occurring in pairs in female mammals and consisting of lobes containing clusters of alveoli with a system of ducts to convey the milk to an external nipple or teat. [TFD][VHOG]

external ontology notes

The FMA class represents an individule lobe. The nipple is not a part, The MA class represents a composite structure, including the nipple, fat, connective tissue, smooth muscle as parts, The BTO class represents the combination of nipple plus lobe

has narrow synonym

milk patch, lobe of breast

has related synonym

mamma, mammae, dug, Brustdruese, glandula mammaria, lobe of mammary gland

homology notes

The detailed similarities of mammary glands in living monotremes, marsupials, and eutherians argue for a monophyletic origin of these glands, perhaps by the combination of parts of preexisting sebaceous and sweat glands.[well established][VHOG]

id

UBERON:0001911

taxon notes

The mammary glands of humans are in the thoracid/breast region. In other mammals they may be located elsewhere on the mammary ridges., The male Dayak fruit bat has lactating mammary glands, A mouse mammary gland contains a single duct or sinus, forming 5-10 secondary ducts