STRUCTURE OF THE ACINI OF THE MAMMARY GLAND. 279 



texture interspersed with nuclei and processes forms a little 

 cradle surrounding each of the gland vesicles, which becomes 

 visible after the detachment of the epithelium. These form 

 the structural elements that have been already demonstrated 

 by Boll* in the lachrymal and salivary glands. It is easy to 

 show the continuity of this plexus with the inter-alveolar 



Fig. 205. 



Fig. 205. Section carried through the terminal vesicles of the gland 

 of a nursing Woman. System 8, Hartnack. 



trabeculse, but I have not been able to satisfy myself that pro- 

 cesses are given off from it, to or between the epithelial cells, 

 and I must leave undetermined the relation that the apparently 

 perfectly structureless membrane, which is made apparent by 

 maceration of the lobules, bears to this plexus. 



All the large vessels supplying the gland run in the sub- 

 cutaneous connective tissue, whilst those entering the deep 

 surface are small. As the former run towards the nipple, 

 they give off branches at intervals, some of which penetrate 

 the substance of the organ, whilst others are distributed to the 

 skin. The ultimate ramifications of these trunks, on reaching 

 the base of the nipple, give off both ascending and descending 

 branches. The arterioles distributed to the parenchyma of 

 the gland do not always run in company with the ducts, and 



* Max Schultze's Archiv, Band v., p. 332. 



