Sow Mammary Gland - Anatomy & Physiology
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General Structure
There are usually 14 mammary complexes arranged in two rows on the ventral side of the thorax and abdomen. In most animals, the left and right complexes are not at the same transverse plane, they are arranged alternating. This facilitates the access of piglets when the sow is lying on her side. Each complex consists of two or three mammary units. Each unit opens with a separate orifice at the tip of the teat in a shallow depression.
Blood Supply
The thoracic mammary complexes receive additional blood supply from the mammary branches of the lateral thoracic artery.