Gross anatomical structure of the mammary gland in cow

Abstract

Mammary glands are the main site of milk synthesis and secretion and its ailments like mastitis is the common cause of decrease in milk production. The anatomical knowledge of mammary gland at different stages is desirable, to understand the background information in the physiology, pathology, surgery, medicine, livestock production and management and genetics. The mammary gland is a skin gland, and is therefore external to the body cavity. An average Holstein cow easily may have 50 kg (>100 lbs) of weight hanging from her body when she walks into the milking parlor to be milked. Hence a strong udder suspensory system is required to maintain proper attachments of the gland in the body. Milk is synthesized in the microscopic alveoli. As it accumulates in the alveolar lumen some milk oozes down into the smaller ducts and eventually into the large cisterns. This allows the cow to accumulate more milk in her udder between 2 milking or suckling by the calf.