Tepelkanaal

Tepelkanaal is the term used in Dutch to refer to the lactiferous duct system of the breast, the channels that carry milk from the glandular tissue to the surface of the nipple. In humans, these ducts are present in both females and, to a lesser extent, males, but milk production occurs primarily in females after puberty and during lactation.

Anatomy and function: The breast contains multiple lobes, each with lobules that produce milk. Milk drains through a network of lactiferous ducts that converge toward the nipple. Just behind the areola, the ducts form a lactiferous sinus, and openings at the nipple allow milk to exit onto the skin surface. The ducts are surrounded by myoepithelial cells and smooth muscle that help propel milk during ejection.

Development and lactation: The ductal system develops under hormonal influence during puberty, becoming more extensive with pregnancy. During lactation, hormones and the milk-ejection reflex (primarily oxytocin) cause milk to travel from the alveoli through the ducts to the nipple. The structure and distribution of the tepelkanaal can vary between individuals and can be affected by pregnancy, breastfeeding practices, and hormonal changes.

Clinical relevance: Conditions involving the tepelkanaal include duct ectasia (dilatation of ducts), intraductal papilloma (a benign growth within a duct), and ductal carcinoma in situ (a form of breast cancer originating in the ducts). Duct blockages or infection can cause nipple discharge, tenderness, or mastitis. Understanding the ductal system is important in breast examinations, imaging, and management of lactation-related issues.

Synonyms and related terms: lactiferous ducts, breast ducts, nipple ducts. The term tepelkanaal reflects the Dutch terminology for this anatomical structure.