Which term describes the milk production process after childbirth?

Which term describes the milk production process after childbirth?

• A. Lactation
• B. Mammary gland development
• C. Lactose production
• D. Milk ejection

Answer: (A)

Lactation is the process of milk production and secretion by the mammary glands after childbirth. It starts and is maintained by hormones, mainly prolactin, which stimulates the alveolar cells to synthesize milk, and oxytocin, which triggers the let-down reflex to eject milk during feeding. This distinguishes the production of milk itself from other processes: mammary gland development describes structural changes that prepare the glands for milk production and occurs earlier, during puberty and pregnancy. Lactose production isn’t a standard term for the overall process; lactose is simply a sugar found in milk produced during lactation. Milk ejection refers to the release of milk from the glands into the ducts, a key part of lactation but not the production itself.

Lactation is the process of milk production and secretion by the mammary glands after childbirth. It starts and is maintained by hormones, mainly prolactin, which stimulates the alveolar cells to synthesize milk, and oxytocin, which triggers the let-down reflex to eject milk during feeding. This distinguishes the production of milk itself from other processes: mammary gland development describes structural changes that prepare the glands for milk production and occurs earlier, during puberty and pregnancy. Lactose production isn’t a standard term for the overall process; lactose is simply a sugar found in milk produced during lactation. Milk ejection refers to the release of milk from the glands into the ducts, a key part of lactation but not the production itself.