Milk duct

Milk ducts, also known as lactiferous ducts, are the tubes that milk travels through from the mammary glands where it is produced, to the nipple. They are part of the female reproductive system and are present in all female mammals.

Anatomy

Milk ducts are located in the breasts. Each breast has between 15 and 20 lobes, each of which is composed of many smaller lobules. The lobules produce milk in women who are pregnant or have just given birth. This milk is then transported through the milk ducts to the nipple, where it can be fed to a baby.

The milk ducts are lined with cells that have a unique structure. These cells have a single layer of columnar epithelium, which is surrounded by myoepithelial cells. These myoepithelial cells can contract, which helps to push the milk through the ducts.

Function

The primary function of the milk ducts is to transport milk from the lobules, where it is produced, to the nipple. This allows the milk to be easily accessed by a nursing baby.

During pregnancy, the milk ducts undergo changes to prepare for the production and transportation of milk. They increase in number and size, and the cells lining the ducts also change. This is all part of the process of lactation, which is regulated by hormones including prolactin and oxytocin.

Health issues

There are several health issues that can affect the milk ducts. These include mastitis, which is an infection of the milk ducts, and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), which is a type of breast cancer that starts in the milk ducts.

Mastitis can cause symptoms such as pain, swelling, and redness in the breast, as well as fever and chills. It is usually treated with antibiotics.

DCIS is a non-invasive form of breast cancer, which means it has not spread beyond the milk ducts. It is usually detected through a mammogram and can often be successfully treated with surgery and radiation therapy.

See also

• Mammary gland
• Lactation
• Mastitis
• Ductal carcinoma in situ

Milk duct Resources
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