GLANDULA LACTIFERA Meaning and
Definition
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Glandula lactifera refers to a specialized mammary gland found in female mammals, primarily humans, responsible for the production and secretion of milk. The term can be broken down into two components: "glandula" derived from the Latin word "glandulae," meaning gland, and "lactifera" derived from the Latin words "lactis," meaning milk, and "fero," meaning to bear or carry.
The glandula lactifera is a crucial anatomical structure in the reproductive system of mammalian females, specifically designed for lactation, which is the process of producing milk to nourish their offspring. Upon pregnancy, hormonal changes stimulate the development and enlargement of these glands, allowing them to undergo significant differentiation and acquire secretory properties. They are typically composed of numerous lobes, which further divide into smaller lobules, each containing clusters of alveoli. Within these alveoli, specialized epithelial cells called alveolar cells synthesize and store milk in response to hormonal signals.
After childbirth, the glandula lactifera becomes fully functional as it starts secreting milk to provide essential nutrients, antibodies, and hormones required for the newborn's growth and immune system development. The process of milk production is regulated by hormonal control, predominantly involving prolactin and oxytocin. Prolactin promotes milk synthesis and release, while oxytocin triggers the contraction of muscle cells present in the glandula lactifera, forcing milk into ducts and subsequently out of the nipples.
Overall, the glandula lactifera plays a fundamental role in mammalian reproduction, enabling nourishment, bonding, and overall health of their offspring through the production and secretion of vital milk.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for GLANDULA LACTIFERA
- flandula lactifera
- vlandula lactifera
- blandula lactifera
- hlandula lactifera
- ylandula lactifera
- tlandula lactifera
- gkandula lactifera
- gpandula lactifera
- goandula lactifera
- glzndula lactifera
- glsndula lactifera
- glwndula lactifera
- glqndula lactifera
- glabdula lactifera
- glamdula lactifera
- glajdula lactifera
- glahdula lactifera
- glansula lactifera
- glanxula lactifera
- glancula lactifera
Etymology of GLANDULA LACTIFERA
The word "glandula lactifera" is a Latin phrase that can be broken down into two parts: "glandula" and "lactifera".
- "Glandula" comes from the Latin word "glans", meaning "acorn" or "gland". In anatomical terms, it refers to a secreting organ in the body. It has the same origin as the English word "gland".
- "Lactifera" is derived from the Latin words "lactis", meaning "milk", and "ferre", meaning "to bear" or "to carry". Therefore, "lactifera" translates to "milk-bearing" or "milk-carrying".
Individually, "glandula" refers to a gland, while "lactifera" describes its function of producing or carrying milk.
