Mammary alveolus

Not to be confused with pulmonary alveolus.

A mammary alveolus (pl.: alveoli, from Latin alveolus, "little cavity") is a small cavity or sac found in the mammary gland.^[1][2] Mammary alveoli are the site of milk production and storage in the mammary gland.^[1][2] Mammary alveoli cluster into groups called mammary lobules, and each breast may contain 15 to 20 of these lobules.^[1][2] The lobules drain milk through the lactiferous ducts out of the nipples.^[1][2]

Mammary alveolus
Anatomical terminology [edit on Wikidata]

The breast: cross-section scheme of the mammary gland.

1. Chest wall
2. Pectoralis muscles
3. Lobules
4. Nipple
5. Areola
6. Milk duct
7. Fatty tissue
8. Skin

See also

• Breastfeeding
• Lactation