Which ducts are referred to as segmental ducts in mammary anatomy?

In mammary anatomy, segmental ducts specifically refer to the mammary ducts, which are the channels responsible for transporting milk from the lobules of the breast to the nipple. These ducts are organized into segments, reflecting their functional role in the drainage of milk from the glandular tissue during lactation.

The mammary ducts consist of a system that branches from the lobules, where milk is produced, and converge toward the nipple area. This structure allows for an efficient delivery of milk to the breastfeeding infant, making the understanding of their anatomy important for both clinical practice and procedures like mammography.

The other structures mentioned, such as the lactiferous duct and lactiferous sinus, are components of the mammary duct system but do not encapsulate the full range of ducts that are involved in milk transport as the term "segmental ducts" does. The nipple itself is not a duct but rather the exterior structure through which milk is delivered. Thus, recognizing the mammary ducts as segmental ducts is crucial in understanding their role in lactation and breast anatomy.