The
mammary glands function to produce
milk for a newborn infant. The hormone
oxytocin controls the
milk letdown reflex, which causes
milk to be
secreted upon
stimulation of the
areola (nipple) by a suckling infant.
Prolactin also regulates lactation, stimulating the
mammary glands to produce
milk.
The
alveolar glands are the
milk-producing
structures of the
mammary glands. They are connected to their openings at the
areola by
lactiferous ducts. The breast is also insulated and protected by a layer of
adipose tissue.
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1 - Anatomy and Physiology Basics