Anatomy Of The Breast Flashcards
(23 cards)
What are the breasts primarily composed of in females?
Mammary glands
The mammary glands are an accessory gland of the female reproductive system involved in lactation.
How do mammary glands change throughout a woman’s life?
They are structurally dynamic, changing with age, menstrual cycle phase, and reproductive status.
What hormone stimulates milk production in the postpartum period?
Prolactin
What hormone is responsible for milk ejection during lactation?
Oxytocin
What is the anatomical location of the breast on the thoracic wall?
Extends from the lateral border of the sternum to the mid-axillary line and spans between the 2nd and 6th costal cartilages.
What are the two main regions of the breast?
- Circular body
- Axillary tail
What is the nipple primarily composed of?
Smooth muscle fibers
What is the pigmented area of skin surrounding the nipple called?
Areolae
What type of glands are mammary glands classified as?
Modified apocrine sweat glands
How many lobes does each breast typically have?
15 to 20 lobes
What connects the lobes and lobules of the breast?
Ducts
What is the function of the suspensory ligaments of Cooper?
- Attach the breast to the dermis
- Separate the secretory lobules
What is the arterial supply to the medial aspect of the breast?
Internal Thoracic Artery
Which arteries supply the lateral part of the breast?
- Lateral Thoracic
- Thoracoacromial branches
- Lateral mammary branches
- Mammary branch
What are the three main groups of lymph nodes that drain the breast?
- Axillary nodes (75%)
- Parasternal nodes (20%)
- Posterior intercostal nodes (5%)
True or False: The breast is innervated by the anterior and lateral cutaneous branches of the 4th to 6th intercostal nerves.
True
What is gynecomastia?
Swelling or enlargement of breast tissue in males due to hormonal imbalance.
What are common clinical features associated with breast cancer?
- Nipple deviation
- Retraction
- Peau d’orange
What is the purpose of a triple assessment in suspected breast cancer?
- Clinical examination
- Imaging (mammogram and ultrasound)
- Biopsy
Fill in the blank: The surgical removal of the breast is called _______.
Mastectomy
What initiates ductal development in the breast?
Estrogen
What is the primary hormonal stimulus for lactogenesis in late pregnancy?
Prolactin
What hormones are regulated by gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)?
- Luteinizing hormone (LH)
- Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
