Lactiferous duct

Lactiferous ducts are ducts that converge and form a branched system connecting the nipple to the lobules of the mammary gland. When lactogenesis occurs, under the influence of hormones, the milk is moved to the nipple by the action of smooth muscle contractions along the ductal system to the tip of the nipple. They are also referred to as galactophores, galactophorous ducts, mammary ducts, mamillary ducts or milk ducts.

Lactiferous duct
The Breast: cross-section scheme of the mammary gland.
  1. Chest wall
  2. Pectoralis muscles,
  3. Lobules
  4. Nipple
  5. Areola and Montgomery glands
  6. Milk duct
  7. Fatty tissue
  8. Skin
Details
Identifiers
Latinductus lactiferi, tubulus lactiferi
TA98A16.0.02.010
TA27103
FMA58006
Anatomical terminology
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