piimanäärme

piimanäärme is the Estonian word for mammary gland. Mammary glands are exocrine glands found in primates, marine mammals, and marsupials. In mammals, they are typically located in the chest region and are responsible for producing milk to nourish their young. The structure of a mammary gland is composed of glandular tissue and a duct system. The glandular tissue contains alveoli, which are small sacs where milk is synthesized. These alveoli are connected to a network of ducts that eventually lead to the nipple, through which milk is expelled. The development and function of mammary glands are regulated by hormones, primarily prolactin, which stimulates milk production, and oxytocin, which triggers milk ejection. While most commonly associated with female mammals, males of many species also possess rudimentary mammary glands, though they are typically non-functional. The presence and development of mammary glands are a defining characteristic of the class Mammalia. In humans, these glands are also known as breasts.