Anatomy 7 - Breast Anatomy and Histology

Question 1

What types of tissue are present in the breast?

Answer 1

Secretory
Adipose
Dense fibrous

Question 2

What type of glands are the mammary glands very similar to?

Answer 2

Sweat glands

Question 3

What makes up the mammary glands?

Answer 3

Series of ducts and 15-25 secretory lobules

Question 4

What makes up each lobule?

Answer 4

A compound tubulo-acinar gland (i.e. multiple branches serve a single lobule)

Question 5

How does the mammary gland drain?

Answer 5

Each alveoli in the lobule is drained by one lactiferous duct
The ducts converge at the nipple

Question 6

What is the connective tissue stroma (that surrounds the breast) made of?

Answer 6

Fibrous tissue

Fatty tissue

Question 7

What does the fibrous stroma converge to form?

Answer 7

Suspensory ligaments of Cooper

Question 8

What is the function of the suspensory ligaments of Cooper?

Answer 8

Attach breasts to dermis and pectoral fascia

Separate the secretory lobules of the breast

Question 9

What does the base of the breast lie on?

Answer 9

Pectoral fascia

Question 10

Where is the retromammary space?

Answer 10

Between the breast and pectoral fascia

Question 11

What is the lactiferous sinus?

Answer 11

Expanded duct region that connects lactiferous duct to the nipple

Question 12

What type of lining epithelium is present in larger ducts?

Answer 12

Columnar

Question 13

What type of epithelium is present in the secretory epithelium?

Answer 13

Cuboidal or low columnar

Question 14

What are myoepithelial cells?

Answer 14

Contractile cells that ‘squeeze’ out milk from secretory cells into the duct

Question 15

Where are the myoepithelial cells found?

Answer 15

Between the secretory cells and the basement membrane

Question 16

What type of epithelium covers the nipple?

Answer 16

Highly pigmented keratinised squamous epithelium

Question 17

What types of tissue make up the nipple?

Answer 17

Dense irregular connective tissue (fibrocollagenous) mixed with bundles of smooth muscle

Question 18

What type of epithelium lines the duct as it approaches the surface of the breast?

Answer 18

Stratified squamous

Question 19

What type of epithelium lines the duct deep to the surface of the breast?

Answer 19

Stratified columnar

Question 20

What is the difference between sebaceous glands on the breast vs sebaceous glands on the skin?

Answer 20

Breast - glands end directly on skin

Skin - oil follows hair follicle

Question 21

What changes occur in the mammary gland during the luteal phase of menstrual cycle?

Answer 21

Epithelial cells increase in height
Lumina of ducts enlarge
Small secretions in ducts

Question 22

What changes occur in the mammary gland during the first trimester of pregnancy?

Answer 22

Elongation and branching of small ducts

Proliferation - epithelial cells and myoepithelial cells

Question 23

What changes occur in the mammary gland during the second trimester of pregnancy?

Answer 23

Glandular tissue developing
Differentiation of secretory alveoli
Plasma cells and lymphocytes infiltrate nearby connective tissue

Question 24

What changes occur in the mammary gland during the third trimester of pregnancy?

Answer 24

Secretory alveoli continue to mature

Development of rER

Question 25

Overall, what are the changes in the amounts of tissue during pregnancy?

Answer 25

Reduction - connective and adipose | Increase - secretory

Question 26

What hormones stimulate the proliferation of adipose tissue during pregnancy?

Answer 26

Oestrogen | Progesterone

Question 27

What is the composition of human milk?

Answer 27

``` 88% water 1.5% protein 3.5% lipid 7% carbohydrate Ions Vitamins IgA ```

Question 28

What are the 2 proteins mainly found in milk?

Answer 28

Lactalbumin | Casein

Question 29

What is the main carbohydrate found in milk?

Answer 29

Lactose

Question 30

How is the fat component of milk secreted?

Answer 30

Apocrine secretion

Question 31

What is apocrine secretion?

Answer 31

Secretions are 'budded' off, surrounded by membrane and carrying cytoplasm

Question 32

How is the protein component of milk secreted?

Answer 32

Merocrine secretion

Question 33

What is merocrine secretion?

Answer 33

Proteins made in rER | Secreted when vesicles merge with apical membrane

Question 34

What happens to the secretory cells of the breast during menopause?

Answer 34

Secretory cells degenerate | Leaving only ducts

Question 35

What happens to the connective tissue of the breast during menopause?

Answer 35

Fewer fibroblasts | Reduced collagen and connective fibres