Final answer:
The ducts that transport milk from the lobes to the nipples in the breast are called lactiferous ducts. They are part of the mammary gland system and are crucial for the process of lactation, enabling the milk to be drawn out by the suckling infant.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ducts that convey the milk secreted by the lobes of the breast to and through the nipples are called lactiferous ducts. Breast milk is produced by the mammary glands, which are specialized structures that function in lactation. The lactiferous ducts are key components of this system, extending from lactiferous sinuses that are connected to glandular lobes within the breast containing milk-secreting cells clustered in alveoli.
The breast structure is complex and includes mammary glands primarily made of adipose and collagenous tissue, with the glands constituting only a small portion of the breast volume. During lactation, milk is synthesized in the alveoli and transported via the lactiferous ducts to the nipple, where it exits through 15 to 20 openings on the nipple's surface. Supporting this are multiple bands of connective tissue known as suspensory ligaments and the Montgomery glands, which provide protection and lubrication for the nipple during breastfeeding.