Mammary gland

the potential and active compound, alveolar, apocrine, milk-secreting gland that lies within the breast

Description
The mammary gland consists of 15–24 lobes, each consisting of many lobules, separated by adipose tissue and fibrous septa. The parenchyma of the resting postpubertal female gland consists of ducts, while the alveoli develop only during pregnancy, remaining active until weaning. Normally, the gland remains rudimentary (undistinguishable from that of childhood) in men.