lactiferous duct
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A duct in the mammary gland that carries milk: A lactiferous duct is a specific anatomical tube or channel within the breast tissue. Its primary function is to transport milk produced in the mammary glands toward the nipple.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- A blocked lactiferous duct can cause pain and inflammation during breastfeeding.
- The surgeon carefully avoided the major lactiferous ducts during the procedure.
Advanced Usage
- Medical/Anatomical Context: The term is almost exclusively used in medical, biological, or anatomical discussions related to mammalian physiology, lactation, and breast health.
- Mammography can sometimes visualize the architecture of the lactiferous ducts.
Variants and Related Words
- Lactiferous (adj): Pertaining to the secretion or conveyance of milk.
- The lactiferous system is crucial for infant nutrition.
- Duct (n): A tube or channel for conveying fluid or air.
- Mammary duct: A less specific, alternative term for a duct within the breast.
Synonyms
- Milk duct: A common, non-technical synonym.
- Mammary duct: A broader term that may refer to similar structures.
Related Terms (Not Phrasal Verbs or Idioms)
- Mastitis: Inflammation of breast tissue, often involving a lactiferous duct.
- Lactation: The secretion of milk by the mammary glands.
- Areola: The pigmented area around the nipple, where lactiferous ducts open.
Noun
- ducts of the mammary gland that carry milk to the nipple