Anatomy
Breast Anatomy
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Breast Anatomy
, Breast
See Also
Lymphatic Drainage of the Breast
Anatomy
Lewis (1918) Gray's Anatomy 20th ed
(in
public domain
at
Yahoo
or
BartleBy
)
Anatomy
Surrounding landmarks
Underlying foundation to Breast tissue
Pectoralis major
Muscle
Serratus anterior border (laterally, inferior)
Lateral border
Latissimus dorsi
Muscle
(axilla)
Inferior Breast border
Inframammary ridge
Superior Breast border
Second rib (inferior to clavicle)
Medial Breast border
Sternum
Anatomy
Organization
Peri-Nipple structures
Areola
Areolar glands
Nipple
Lobules
Composed of acini and ducts
Lobes
Composed of Lobules
Lactiferous ducts
Drain lobes to ducts at areolar surface
Cooper's Ligaments
Add structure to Breast
Attached to underlying fascia
Physiology
Development
Pre-
Puberty
Breasts in resting state
Nonfunctional ducts
Puberty
Ducts elongated due to
Estrogen
Breast buds appear
Appear as retroareolar mass
Do not excise as mass! (halts Breast development)
Young adult
Ovulation
initiated and
Progesterone
released
Ducts elongate
Side branches of ducts and lobular elements form
Maturity
Breasts become pendulous
Lobular elements well formed in resting state
Pregnancy
Proximal ducts grow and branch
Breast enlarges
Vascular engorgement
Mammary
Blood Flow
increases 180%
Breast doubles in weight
May result in bloody
Nipple Discharge
Second and third trimester and early
Lactation
Resolves spontaneously in most cases
Areolar pigmentation
Perimenopausal
Lobules begin to recede
Leaves residual ducts and fibro-connective tissue
Breast cysts commonly develop during this stage
Postmenopausal
Residual ducts and fat
Easiest time for
Clinical Breast Exam
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