LACTATION

A rounded or oblong shaped cavity present in the breast.

The source of milk for offspring, also commonly called the breast. The presence of mammary glands is a characteristic of mammals

Specialized cells that line the alveoli and that can contract to cause milk to be secreted into the duct

Cells in the acinus (milk gland) that are responsible for secreting milk components into the ducts.

Period of production of milk by the mother’s mammary glands to feed her infant

synthesis and secretion of milk

milk secreted at the beginning of one nursing period

thin yellowish fluid secreted by the mammary gland during the few days of parturition. Also called as true milk

milk secreted at the end of one nursing period

Ductal growth

Alveolar development

Development of terminal end buds

A psycho-neural-hormonal mechanism regulated by the central nervous system

The sucking stimulus provided by the infants sends a message to the hypothalamus which in turn stimulates the anterior pituitary to release prolactin