MILK DUCT Meaning and
Definition
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A milk duct, also called a lactiferous duct, is a hollow tube or channel that carries milk from the milk-producing cells in female mammary glands to the nipple. Milk ducts are a crucial component of the lactation process in mammals, serving as the conduit through which milk is transported to the exterior.
In females, milk ducts are typically well-developed and organized in a branching pattern within the breasts. Each breast is comprised of numerous milk ducts that connect to the lobules, small structures that contain clusters of milk-producing cells called alveoli. These alveoli produce milk in response to hormonal signals, and the milk is then pushed into the milk ducts.
During lactation, when a woman gives birth and produces milk, the milk ducts transport the milk towards the nipple, where it can be expressed for breastfeeding. The diameter of the milk ducts varies, with larger ducts closer to the nipple and increasingly smaller ones as they approach the glandular tissue.
Milk ducts are surrounded by connective tissues and muscles, which aid in milk ejection. Together with the milk-producing cells and nipple, milk ducts form an intricate system that enables the production, transport, and delivery of milk to nourish offspring. Understanding the anatomy and physiology of milk ducts is essential for studying lactation, diagnosing breast conditions, and ensuring proper breastfeeding techniques.
Common Misspellings for MILK DUCT
- nilk duct
- kilk duct
- jilk duct
- mulk duct
- mjlk duct
- mklk duct
- molk duct
- m9lk duct
- m8lk duct
- mikk duct
- mipk duct
- miok duct
- milj duct
- milm duct
- mill duct
- milo duct
- mili duct
- milk suct
- milk xuct
- milk cuct
Etymology of MILK DUCT
The word "milk duct" is composed of two main elements: "milk" and "duct".
1. Milk: The word "milk" comes from the Old English word "meoluc", which can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "meluks". This ultimately finds its roots in the Proto-Indo-European root "*melg-" or "*melk-", which refers to the action of milking.
2. Duct: The term "duct" comes from the Latin word "ductus", which means "leading" or "conducting". "Ductus" is the past participle of the verb "ducere", which means "to lead" or "to bring".
