Anatomy and Physiology of

the Breast and Lactation

OBEDENCIO
SERANIA
Lactation
Anatomy and Physiology
• Breast Enlargement
During pregnancy and lactation indicate the
mammary glands are becoming functional
Breast size before pregnancy does not
determine the amount of milk a women will
produce
Lactation
Anatomy and Physiology
• Hormones during pregnancy
Estrogen stimulates the ductile system to grow,
then estrogen levels drop after birth
Progesterone increases the size of alveoli and
lobes
Prolactin contributes to increasing the breast
tissue during pregnancy
Lactation
Anatomy and Physiology
Alveoli secrete milk and contract when
stimulated
Oxytocin stimulates milk secretion and is
released during the let down or milk ejection
reflex
After let down, milk travels into the ductules,
then to the larger- lactiferous or mammary ducts
Lactation
Anatomy and Physiology
•Hormones during breastfeeding
Prolactin levels rise with nipple stimulation
Alveolar cells make milk in response to
prolactin when the baby sucks
Oxytocin causes the alveoli to squeeze the
newly produced milk into the duct system
Lactation
Anatomy and Physiology
Physiology of Lactation
Mammagonesis
LACTOGENISIS
LACTOGENISIS
Pathways for milk secretion by the mammary
epithelial cells
LACTOGENISIS
Galactokinesis
Galactopoiesis
Involution