What structure connects lobules and carries milk to the nipple?

The lactiferous duct is the structure that connects the lobules of the mammary gland and is responsible for transporting milk to the nipple. In the female breast, lobules are the glandular structures where milk is produced during lactation. After milk is produced, it flows from the lobules through a series of ducts. The lactiferous duct collects this milk from the lobules and extends toward the nipple, where milk is ejected during breastfeeding.

The importance of this duct lies in its role in ensuring that milk can travel efficiently from the site of production to its exit point at the nipple, making it crucial for successful breastfeeding. Each lactiferous duct typically corresponds to a single nipple, allowing the milk to be delivered directly to the infant.

Other options, while related to the anatomy of the breast, do not fulfill the same specific function. The lactiferous sinus refers to a dilation of the lactiferous duct near the nipple and acts as a storage area for milk before it is released. The alveolus is the structure where milk is produced but does not transport it. The term mammary duct is sometimes used interchangeably with lactiferous duct but is less specific in this context. The lactiferous duct is the most precise term