The main difference between lactating and non-lactating mammary gland is that lactating mammary glands produce milk, whereas non-lactating mammary glands do not produce milk.
A mammary gland is a glandular organ located on the chest. In the mammary glands, there are connective tissues, fat, and tissues that contain the glands that can produce milk. Hence, the primary function of mammary glands is to produce milk.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is a Lactating Mammary Gland
– Definition, Structure, Function
2. What is a Non-lactating Mammary Gland
– Definition, Structure, Function
3. Difference Between Lactating and Non-lactating Mammary Gland
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Lactating Mammary Gland, Non-lactating Mammary Gland
What is a Lactating Mammary Gland
Lactating mammary glands are the mammary glands that produce milk. These mammary glands are found in females. Such mammary glands produce milk to nourish the offspring. During pregnancy and lactation, specific structure and function changes occur in the body to accommodate milk production.
Anatomy of the lactating mammary glands includes glandular tissue and connective tissue. The glandular tissue produces milk. It is made up of lobules and alveoli. Several alveoli are present in each lobule. Alveoli are small hollo structures with milk-secreting cells called lactocytes. These lactocytes are responsible for synthesizing, secreting, and transporting milk to the ducts. Milk is carried away from the alveoli to the nipples by the ducts. At the nipples, the milk is released during feeding. The myoepithelial cells around the ducts help in expelling milk from the breast during breastfeeding. There is a pigmented area around the nipple which has sebaceous glands. These glands secrete oils that lubricate the skin around the nipples. There is a network of blood vessels in the lactating mammary glands. These blood vessels carry and supply nutrients and oxygen to the glandular tissue.
The process of lactation in lactating mammary glands involves neural signals and the coordinated activity of many hormones. The hormones that are associated with milk production and secretion are prolactin, oxytocin, estrogen, cortisol, and progesterone. Furthermore, there are many factors that affect milk production in the lactating mammary glands, including maternal health, infant health, and environmental factors such as breastfeeding frequency.
What is a Non-lactating Mammary Gland
Non-lactating mammary glands are mammary glands that do not produce milk. These types of glands are present in both males and females. They are prominently present in females. In males, these glands are not developed prominently. But in females, these glands are well developed, and they determine the shape and size of the breasts. Non-lactating mammary glands have different types of cells in them. Some cells are epithelial cells, myoepithelial cells, and adipose cells. Epithelial cells produce milk during lactation, and myoepithelial cells involve in the contraction of mammary glands, while adipose cells fill the breast tissue, contributing to the shape and size of the breasts.
The size and shape of non-lactating mammary glands are affected by many factors and vary widely among individuals. Factors such as age, genetics, hormonal fluctuations, and lifestyle factors affect their size and shape of them.
There are many functions of non-lactating mammary glands. One such function is that they contribute to the structure and support of the breasts. They help to maintain their shape and position.
Another function of non-lactating mammary glands is that they help in sexual arousal and stimulation. This is done by the nerve endings, which are stimulated during sexual activity. They also participate in the production of certain hormones like estrogen and progesterone. Certain conditions, such as fibrocystic breast disease and breast cancer, affect non-lactating mammary glands.
Difference Between Lactating and Non-lactating Mammary Gland
Definition
Lactating mammary glands are the mammary glands that produce milk, while non-lactating mammary glands are the mammary glands that do not produce milk.
Milk Production
While lactating mammary glands produce milk, non-lactating mammary glands do not produce milk.
Structure
Lactating mammary glands are larger, whereas non-lactating mammary glands are comparatively smaller.
Function
The main function of lactating mammary glands is to produce and secrete milk, whereas the function of non-lactating mammary glands is to maintain breast tissue.
Conclusion
A mammary gland is a glandular organ on the chest. There are two types of mammary glands; they are lactating and non-lactating glands. The main difference between lactating and non-lactating mammary glands is that lactating mammary glands produce milk, whereas non-lactating mammary glands do not produce milk.
Reference:
1. “Mammary gland histology.” Osmosis from Elsevier.
2. “Anatomy, Thorax, Mammary Gland.” National Library of Medicine.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Illu breast anatomy” By User: Maksim – La bildo estas kopiita de wikipedia:en. (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
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