Mammary Gland Structure & Milk Pathway — NEET Biology
✅ Asked in NEET 2022A functional mammary gland is characteristic of all female mammals. The mammary glands are paired structures (breasts) that contain glandular tissue and variable amount of fat. The glandular tissue of each breast is divided into 15-20 mammary lobes containing clusters of cells called alveoli. The cells of alveoli secrete milk, which is stored in the cavities (lumens) of alveoli. The alveoli open into mammary tubules. The tubules of each lobe join to form a mammary duct. Several mammary ducts join to form a wider mammary ampulla which is connected to lactiferous duct and opens at the nipple, from where milk is expressed during breastfeeding.
NTA tests the sequential pathway of milk production and transport: alveoli (secretion) → mammary tubules → mammary ducts → mammary ampulla → lactiferous duct → nipple. Students often confuse the order of these structures or forget intermediate steps like the ampulla. The key mistake is mixing up where milk is secreted (alveoli) versus where it's stored and transported. Remember: alveoli contain cells that secrete milk into their lumens, tubules collect milk from multiple alveoli, ducts merge progressively into larger vessels, and the ampulla acts as a collecting chamber before the final lactiferous duct. This sequential pathway is critical for understanding lactation physiology and frequently appears in NEET MCQs testing anatomical knowledge.
[NEET 2022 Phase 2] Arrange the components of mammary gland from proximal to distal: (a) Mammary duct (b) Lactiferous duct (c) Alveoli (d) Mammary ampulla (e) Mammary tubules Choose the correct answer:
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