乳 腺(にゅうせん)

にゅうせん

noun

mammary gland

1. mammary gland

The gland in female mammals that produces milk. In medical Japanese, commonly encountered in discussions of breast cancer, breastfeeding, and women's health.

乳腺(にゅうせん)の検査(けんさ)を受(う)けた。

I had a mammary gland examination.

乳腺(にゅうせん)外科(げか)を受診(じゅしん)することにした。

I decided to visit the breast surgery department.

授乳(じゅにゅう)中(ちゅう)は乳腺(にゅうせん)が発達(はったつ)し、母乳(ぼにゅう)の分泌(ぶんぴつ)が活発(かっぱつ)になる。

During breastfeeding, the mammary glands develop and milk production becomes active.

Composed of 乳(にゅう) (breast, milk) and 腺(せん) (gland). An important medical term that Japanese women encounter regularly in health screenings and discussions about breast health. 乳腺(にゅうせん)外科(げか) (breast surgery department) is a standard hospital department name.

Note: the homophone 入選(にゅうせん) (being selected/accepted, as in a contest) is a completely different word.

Common collocations

乳腺(にゅうせん)炎(えん): mastitis (inflammation of the mammary gland)
乳腺(にゅうせん)外科(げか): breast surgery department
乳腺(にゅうせん)エコー: breast ultrasound
乳腺(にゅうせん)の発達(はったつ): development of mammary glands
乳腺(にゅうせん)専門医(せんもんい): breast specialist

Related words

乳(にゅう)がん (乳癌(にゅうがん)): breast cancer — the most serious condition of the mammary glands
授乳(じゅにゅう): breastfeeding — the primary function of the mammary glands
腺(せん): gland — the general anatomical term (甲状腺(こうじょうせん), 唾液腺(だえきせん), etc.)

Related Words

Related: 授乳(じゅにゅう) (breastfeeding)

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Added 2026.5.1 1:26 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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