The term "galactophorous duct" is a mouthful, but its spelling can be easily explained by breaking it down into phonetic parts. "Galacto-" refers to milk, "phor" means to carry, and "-ous" implies full of or pertaining to. "Duct" is pronounced as "dʌkt," which indicates a narrow tube or passage. When put together, we have "gəˌlæktoʊˈfɔːrəs dʌkt," meaning the tubes that transport milk from the mammary glands to the nipples. Understanding the phonetic spelling assists in pronouncing and remembering this term.
A galactophorous duct is a part of the female anatomy, specifically found in mammals, that serves as a conduit for milk secretion from the mammary gland to the nipple during lactation. Also known as lactiferous ducts or mammary ducts, these structures are crucial for the delivery of nourishment to newborn offspring.
The galactophorous ducts are present in pairs and are located within the breast tissue. They develop and enlarge during pregnancy under the influence of hormones, preparing for milk production. Once lactation begins, milk is synthesized within the mammary gland and then transported through these ducts to the nipple, where it can be accessed by the suckling neonate.
The galactophorous ducts are composed of a series of interconnected tubules, which gradually merge and converge towards the nipple. The ducts have a branching structure and are lined with specialized epithelial cells that produce and secrete milk constituents. These cells are responsible for synthesizing the various components of milk, including proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and antibodies, that are essential for the growth, development, and immune protection of the young.
In summary, galactophorous ducts are the milk ducts found in the female mammary gland responsible for transporting milk from the glandular tissue to the nipple, providing the vital source of nutrition for offspring during the period of lactation.
Ductus lactiferus.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "galactophorous" is derived from the ancient Greek words "galacto" which means "milk" and "phorous" meaning "bearing" or "carrying". So, "galactophorous" can be translated as "milk-bearing" or "milk-carrying". On the other hand, "duct" comes from the Latin word "ductus" meaning "a leading" or "conduit". Therefore, "galactophorous duct" refers to the milk-carrying conduit or the duct that transports milk.