Breast Anatomy and Lactation Flashcards
What do mammary glands produce and what type of gland are they?
They are classified as exocrine glands because they excrete milk.Modified apocrine sweat glands that produce milk.
What is ductal morphogenesis?
The development of ductal structures during puberty
What is alveologenesis?
The formation of alveoli during pregnancy
What is contained within a lobe of the breast?
Alveoli, ducts, blood vessels
Lobes are crucial for lactation.
How many lobes are typically in a lactating breast?
15-20 lobes
What role does fat play in the structure of the lactating breast?
Provides a protective barrier
What is the terminal duct lobular unit (TDLU)?
Lobule + terminal duct
What is the function of myoepithelial cells?
Contractile cells that help in milk ejection
What hormonal changes occur after placental delivery?
Decrease in progesterone and estrogen allows lactogenesis to start
What does oxytocin do during lactation?
Causes contraction of myoepithelial cells to squeeze milk into ducts
Where is prolactin released from and what causes this?
Signals from the hypothalamus tell anterior pituitary to release prolactin
When are prolactin levels typically higher?
At night
What are the stages of milk production?
- Colostrum (1-2 days post birth)
- Transitional (days 2-5)
- Mature Milk (day 6+)
What characterizes colostrum?
Yellow, thick fluid, rich in IgA antibodies. Provides immunity and has less lactose.
What are the types and composition of mature milk?
- Foremilk: watery, high in protein and lactose, low fat
- Hindmilk: richer in fat, satisfies hunger
List components of human milk.
- Lactose
- Milk fat
- Protein
- Minerals
- Vitamins
- Metabolic hormones
- 87% water
What are some advantages of breast milk over formula?
- Better absorption of fat and iron
- Easier metabolism of amino acids
- Immune components
- Probiotic effects
- Lower risk of asthma, T1DM, food allergies, and obesity
- Reduces risk of SIDS
What are long-term benefits of breastfeeding?
- Reduced risk of chronic non-communicable diseases
- Lower risk of necrotising enterocolitis
- Less likelihood of obesity and endometriosis
- Decreased risk of developing inherited diseases
How does breastfeeding affect the mother?
- Reduces blood loss after delivery
- Lowers risk of postpartum depression
- Decreases risk of breast cancer, CVD, and RA
What dietary considerations should breastfeeding mothers keep in mind?
Different foods can influence milk composition and flavour, ensure adequate B12 if vegan/vegetarian to prevent malnutrition of baby
What are common problems with lactation?
- Infant failure to thrive
- Inadequate milk production
- Poor suckling/latching
- Sore nipples
- Breast engorgement
- Plugged ducts
What is mastitis?
Infection in breast tissue characterized by swelling and inflammation
What are common causes of mastitis?
- Breast engorgement
- Blocked ducts
- Fatigue
- Illness
- Infrequent feeding
What is a breast abscess?
A rare complication of chronic mastitis that may require drainage
Why do some women not exclusively breastfeed?
Minimal interventions/support and lack of government policy for postpartum support
What is a major problem with formula marketing?
It is marketed as a total replacement for breast milk, leading to misconceptions
What hormones in prepuberty cause complex branching structure growth in the breast and what is this process called?
GH, estrogen and IGF, process called ductal morphogenesis
What hormome in puberty has major influence on increasing secondary and tertiary branching of ductal formations ?
Progesterone
What occurs in lactogenesis and when?
alveoli increase in number and produce milk, mid pregnancy to 2 days PP
What hormones stimulate the conversion of ducts to secretory epithelium and what is this process called?
Progesterone and prolactin in alveologenesis
What hormones inhibit milk-secreting action of prolactin during pregnancy?
Progesterone and estrogen
Sort the following into groups that can increase prolactin and those that can decrease; exercise, smoking, removal of milk from breast, high-protein meal, stress, alcohol
Increase: exercise, removal of milk, high-protein meal, stress, alcohol
Decrease: smoking
