Question

Milk secreted from the cells of alveoli of mammary lobes reaches the nipple through the lactiferous duct (L), mammary duct (M), mammary tubule (T), and mammary ampulla (A) in the following order
(a)TMAL
(b)MTLA
(c)MTAL
(d)ATML

Answer 1

The presence of mammary glands is characteristic of mammals and they are modified sweat glands that produce milk to nourish the young offsprings. The milk is produced by alveoli after which it passes through many ducts and tubules before it is finally ejected out.

Complete answer:
Mammary glands or breasts are modified sweat glands that are present over the pectoral muscles and have a multiporous tip known as the nipple. The production of milk starts from the cells of alveoli which open into the mammary tubules. Multiple mammary tubules join together to form a duct known as the mammary duct. These ducts again join together to form a wider mammary ampulla which opens into the lactiferous duct. The lactiferous duct opens out through the nipple from where milk is sucked out. So, the correct sequence is tubule (T), mammary duct (M), ampulla (A), and lactiferous duct (L).

Additional Information: The production of milk is stimulated by the hormone oxytocin. Let us know more about this hormone.
-Oxytocin is a hormone that is produced by the hypothalamus but stored in the posterior pituitary.
-It is transferred from the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland axonally.
-Upon stimulation, it is released from the posterior pituitary (neurohypophysis).
-The oxytocin hormone is known as milk ejection hormone as it stimulates the contraction of muscles of the mammary gland to eject milk.
-This hormone also helps in the contraction of smooth muscles during childbirth.
So, the correct option is ‘TMAL’.

Note: -The pituitary gland is known as the master of all glands and consists of the anterior pituitary (adenohypophysis) and posterior pituitary.
-Another hormone is secreted by the posterior pituitary known as vasopressin.
-Vasopressin is also known as an anti-diuretic hormone as it prevents the formation of urine (diuresis).