 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| • |
Supraoptic and
paraventricular nuclei contain
|
|
|
magnocellular
neurons that secrete oxytocin into
|
|
|
the general
circulation in the posterior pituitary.
|
|
|
| • |
When a baby sucks
on a mother’s nipples,
|
|
|
mechanoreceptors
are stimulated. These
|
|
|
receptors
activate neurons that project to the
|
|
|
magnocellular
hypothalamic neurons, causing
|
|
|
those cells to
fire brief bursts, releasing oxytocin.
|
|
| • |
Oxytocin, in
turn, increases contraction of
|
|
|
myoepithelial
cells in the mamillary glands,
|
|
|
leading to milk
ejection.
|
|