DEVELOPMENT OF HUMAN MAMMARY GLAND - A PRENATAL STUDY

44 fetuses of varying gestational ages, ranging from 33m.m C.R.L. to 270m.m.C.R.L. (i.e. from 8weeks to 32weeks of intrauterine life) were studied to note the developmental sequence of mammary gland. Tissues were prepared for microtomy by Paraffin wax embedding method. Serial sections were stained by Haematoxylin & Eosin (H & E) and Masson's Trichome method(1). It was observed that the organ is subject to fluctuations in its development. In the present study the primary bud, secondary bud, & tertiary bud formation is seen at11th week,14th week & 18th week of gestation respectively. The canalization appeared at 20th week of gestation. Variation is seen in the mode of canalization as well as in the time of start of canalization. In the present study an endeavour has been made to establish the time of appearance of mammary buds and their time of canalization. The observations are compared with the findings of other workers and discussed in the light of literature. Mammogenesis or development of mammary gland is of great importance for anatomists, surgeons, pathologists, physicians, obstetricians etc. A large number of developmental anomalies like amastia, athelia, polymastia, polythelia, etc are of interest to them which can be understood more if thorough understanding of development of mammary gland is there.