Fig. 10.—Supernumerary milk glands in the axillæ. They may be found also below the breasts. (Witkowski.)
Fig. 11.—The three ages of the breast—virginity, maturity, and senescence. (Witkowski.)
Surrounding the nipple is a darkly pigmented area from one inch to four inches in diameter that is called the areola. It contains hard, shot-like nodules, the glands, or tubercles, of Montgomery. These often secrete milk and sometimes become infected. It occasionally happens that more than two breasts may be found on the human female, and not infrequently pieces of mammary tissue may be discovered in the axilla or on the chest or back.
The mammary gland is undeveloped at birth, but, nevertheless it may fill with milk (witches’ milk). At puberty, after marriage, and during pregnancy, the gland reaches maturity. It is only after delivery, however, that the functional climax is attained.
CHAPTER II
PHYSIOLOGY
Ovulation.—Ovulation is the process whereby the eggs are discharged from the Graafian follicle which matures and protects them in the ovary. The egg is a true cell with one, and sometimes more than one, nucleus.
The ripening of the eggs, as well as their discharge, is attended with much general disturbance and great physical changes. This phenomenon begins from the twelfth to the fifteenth year, depending on race, climate, occupation and temperament, and marks the transition of the individual from childhood into maturity.
This period is called puberty. At this time the breasts enlarge, the hips round out, the vagina, uterus and external genitals increase in size. Hair appears upon the vulva, the emotions become more evident, and modesty develops through a consciousness of sexual difference and attraction.
Simultaneously a new function appears—