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CHAPTER XLIV. 



OP LACTATION. THE LACTEAL GLANDS. NIPPLE. MINUTE STRUC- 

 TURE OF THE GLAND. BLOOD-VESSELS. ABSORBENTS. MILK. 



THE Lacteal Glands are two large, symmetrical organs, which 

 are only fully developed in the female. In the male, however, 

 they exist in a very rudimentary state. During the later half 

 of pregnancy, the lacteal glands increase very much in size ; and 

 about the period of parturition, they begin to secrete milk. They 

 are racemose glands, and are ultimately composed of numerous 

 roundish follicles, arranged round the terminal extremities of the 

 ducts. 



The structure of the lacteal glands formed the subject of a very 

 important investigation by Sir Astley Cooper. 



The lacteal tubes are about twenty in number, and terminate at 

 the extremity of the nipple, by as many orifices. The ducts are 



Fig. 294. 



Preparation with six milk-tubes injected from the nipple, by Sir Astley Cooper. a. The straight 

 mamillary tubes, proceeding from the apex of the nipple, b. Reservoirs or dilatations of the duct 8 ' 

 c. Branches of the mammary ducts, d. Glandules. 



