Anatomy Flashcards
(22 cards)
What is the function of the breast?
Lactation
Synthesis
Ejection of milk
What are breast?
Paired mammary glands
They develop from primordially derived breast tissue and natures as a modified sweat gland
Made of glandular tissue, connective tissue and adipose tissue
Breast developments: At puberty
increased circulating oestrogen results in growth of ducts, lobules, connective tissue, and fat to form adult breast
Breast developments: non -lactating
Predominant component of breast at this stage is fat
What are the 3 major hormones that affect the breast?
Oestrogen, progesterone and prolactin → causes glandular tissue in breast and uterus to change during menstrual cycle
Breast developments: during pregnancy
High levels of oestrogen and progesterone stimulate the production of glandular breast tissue in preparation for lactation
What is the gross anatomy of the breast?
Located in the superficial fascia of the anterior thoracic wall
Tear - shaped gland
Superior border - 2nd rib
Inferior border - inframammary fold (6th rib)
Medically - sternum
Laterally - midaxillary line
Anterior - dermis of the skin
Posterior - fasciae of pectoralis major
How many irregular lobes of tubuloaveolar tissue do mammary glands contain? And how are they arranged?
15 - 20 and are arranged in circular fashion
What are lobes separated by and what are they subdivided into?
Lobes are separated by fibrous connective tissue and subdivided into many lobules
What do lobules contain?
Alveoli → hollow spheres of milk secreting cuboidal cells
What is the role of adipose tissue within the breast?
To fill space between the lobules ( also known as interlobular space) and gives breast size and shape
What do ducts and lobules converge to form?
15 - 20 lactiferous duct (stratified squamous epithelium) that delivers milk to the nipple
What is the dilated portion of the lactiferous duct known as?
Lactiferous sinus
What are suspensory ( cooper’s) ligaments?
Are continuous with the dermis of the skin and supports the breast
Where is the axillary tail ?
Extends into anterior axillary fold
What is the areola and what does it contain ?
It is a small dark pigmented oval shape which contains sebaceous glands, sweat glands and accessory areolar glands (of Montgomery)
Where is the nipple found and what does it contain?
It’s found near the centre of the areola and contains dense fibrous connective tissue
What is the function of the nipple?
The expression of milk produced by the lobules
What are breast quadrants?
Categories in which the left and right breast are split into
What are the quadrants in relation to the sternum?
Upper (superior)
Outer (lateral)
Lower (inferior)
Outer (lateral)
Inner (medial)
