The mammary gland of the Weddell seal, Leptonychotes weddelli (Pinnipedia). I. Gross and microscopic anatomy. 1981

R A Tedman, and M M Bryden

The Weddell seal cow possesses two subcutaneous, ellipsoidal, abdominal mammary glands with a volume of two to three liters when lactating. Corrosion casts reveal that approximately ten large ducts radiate from a gland cistern at the base of the nipple, and end in a complex system of terminal branches. Each gland has a separate arterial supply, mostly from the caudal deep epigastric with a minor contribution from the deep circumflex iliac. Histologically, lactating, nonlactating (resting), and immature glands resemble those of other eutherians. Sinusoidal blood vessels, not observed in the mammary glands of other mammals, are present within lactating but not in resting lobules in the seal. The terminal pouch and lactiferous sinuses possess circular smooth muscle and elastic fibers in the walls, and accumulations of lymphocytes immediately beneath the epithelium. Sebaceous and sweat glands open into the walls of the nipple and the apex of the terminal pouch. There are extensive networks of blood vessels and longitudinal smooth muscle and elastic fibers in the walls and base of the nipple. The possible functions of these morphological observations are discussed.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007774 Lactation The processes of milk secretion by the maternal MAMMARY GLANDS after PARTURITION. The proliferation of the mammary glandular tissue, milk synthesis, and milk expulsion or let down are regulated by the interactions of several hormones including ESTRADIOL; PROGESTERONE; PROLACTIN; and OXYTOCIN. Lactation, Prolonged,Milk Secretion,Lactations, Prolonged,Milk Secretions,Prolonged Lactation,Prolonged Lactations
D008321 Mammary Glands, Animal MAMMARY GLANDS in the non-human MAMMALS. Mammae,Udder,Animal Mammary Glands,Animal Mammary Gland,Mammary Gland, Animal,Udders
D010872 Caniformia Suborder of dog-like carnivores which include dogs, coyotes, skunks, mustelids, walruses, seals, bears, and procyonids. Pinnipedia,Pinnipeds
D011247 Pregnancy The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH. Gestation,Pregnancies
D005260 Female Females
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D046048 Seals, Earless The family Phocidae, suborder PINNIPEDIA, order CARNIVORA, comprising the true seals. They lack external ears and are unable to use their hind flippers to walk. It includes over 18 species including the harp seal, probably the best known seal species in the world. Halichoerus grypus,Mirounga,Pagophilus groenlandicus,Seal, Elephant,Seal, Harp,Seals, True,Phoca groenlandica,Phocidae,Seal, Gray,Earless Seal,Earless Seals,Elephant Seal,Elephant Seals,Gray Seal,Gray Seals,Harp Seal,Harp Seals,Seal, Earless,Seal, True,Seals, Elephant,Seals, Gray,Seals, Harp,True Seal,True Seals

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