Anatomy of the mammary gland

Question 1

What is the anatomical location of the mammary gland?

Answer 1

The mammary gland is located in the anterior thoracic wall, overlying the pectoralis major muscle.

Question 2

Which ribs do the mammary glands typically extend between?

Answer 2

The mammary glands typically extend from the 2nd to the 6th ribs.

Question 3

What are the major structural components of the mammary gland?

Answer 3

The major structural components are glandular tissue, ducts, connective tissue, fat, and skin.

Question 4

What type of gland is the mammary gland classified as?

Answer 4

The mammary gland is a modified apocrine sweat gland.

Question 5

What is the primary function of the mammary gland?

Answer 5

The primary function of the mammary gland is milk production and secretion for infant nourishment.

Question 6

What are the main anatomical divisions of the breast?

Answer 6

The breast is divided into the nipple, areola, glandular tissue, fibrous tissue, and fat.

Question 7

What structures make up the parenchyma of the mammary gland?

Answer 7

The parenchyma consists of lobes, lobules, and lactiferous ducts.

Question 8

What are the functional units of the mammary gland responsible for milk secretion?

Answer 8

The alveoli (acini) within the lobules are responsible for milk secretion.

Question 9

What are the components of the stroma of the mammary gland?

Answer 9

The stroma consists of connective tissue, adipose tissue, and Cooper’s ligaments.

Question 10

What is the name of the ducts that transport milk from lobules to the nipple?

Answer 10

The lactiferous ducts transport milk from lobules to the nipple.

Question 11

What is the significance of the lactiferous sinus?

Answer 11

The lactiferous sinus acts as a milk reservoir during lactation.

Question 12

What is the arterial supply of the mammary gland?

Answer 12

The arterial supply comes from the internal thoracic, lateral thoracic, thoracoacromial, and posterior intercostal arteries.

Question 13

What are the main veins that drain the mammary gland?

Answer 13

The veins draining the breast include the internal thoracic, lateral thoracic, and axillary veins.

Question 14

What are the lymphatic drainage pathways of the breast?

Answer 14

The lymphatic drainage is mainly to the axillary, parasternal, and subclavicular nodes.

Question 15

What is the clinical significance of the axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer?

Answer 15

The axillary lymph nodes are the primary site for metastasis in breast cancer.

Question 16

Which lymph nodes first receive lymphatic drainage from the breast?

Answer 16

The anterior (pectoral) group of axillary lymph nodes first receive drainage.

Question 17

What is the innervation of the mammary gland?

Answer 17

The mammary gland is innervated by the intercostal nerves (T4-T6).

Question 18

Which hormones regulate the growth and function of the mammary gland?

Answer 18

Estrogen, progesterone, prolactin, and oxytocin regulate mammary gland function.

Question 19

What changes occur in the mammary gland during pregnancy?

Answer 19

During pregnancy, glandular tissue proliferates, ducts expand, and fat decreases.

Question 20

How does estrogen affect mammary gland development?

Answer 20

Estrogen stimulates ductal growth and branching.

Question 21

What is the role of progesterone in the mammary gland?

Answer 21

Progesterone promotes alveolar development and gland maturation.

Question 22

What is the function of prolactin in lactation?

Answer 22

Prolactin stimulates milk production in the mammary alveoli.

Question 23

What is the role of oxytocin in milk ejection?

Answer 23

Oxytocin triggers the contraction of myoepithelial cells for milk ejection.

Question 24

What is the anatomical position of the nipple?

Answer 24

The nipple is located at the 4th intercostal space in nulliparous women.

Question 25

What is the significance of Montgomery glands in the areola?

Answer 25

Montgomery glands secrete an oily substance that lubricates and protects the areola.

Question 26

What type of epithelium lines the lactiferous ducts?

Answer 26

The lactiferous ducts are lined by stratified cuboidal epithelium.

Question 27

What structural support is provided by Cooper’s ligaments?

Answer 27

Cooper’s ligaments provide structural support to the breast and prevent sagging.

Question 28

What are the boundaries of the retromammary space?

Answer 28

The retromammary space is located between the breast and the pectoral fascia.

Question 29

Why is the retromammary space clinically significant?

Answer 29

The retromammary space allows movement of the breast over the chest wall and is important in mastectomy.

Question 30

What is polymastia?

Answer 30

Polymastia is the presence of additional breasts along the embryonic milk line.

Question 31

What is polythelia?

Answer 31

Polythelia is the presence of extra nipples along the embryonic milk line.

Question 32

What is the embryological origin of the mammary glands?

Answer 32

The mammary glands originate from ectodermal mammary ridges (milk lines).

Question 33

What are the common congenital anomalies of the mammary gland?

Answer 33

Common anomalies include amastia (absence), athelia (absent nipple), and accessory breast tissue.

Question 34

What are the common sites for accessory breast tissue?

Answer 34

Accessory breast tissue commonly appears in the axilla.

Question 35

How does the mammary gland change with aging?

Answer 35

With aging, glandular tissue atrophies and is replaced by fat.

Question 36

What are the key differences between lactating and non-lactating breasts?

Answer 36

Lactating breasts have enlarged alveoli and increased vascularization.

Question 37

What is the most common quadrant for breast cancer occurrence?

Answer 37

The upper outer quadrant is the most common site for breast cancer.

Question 38

Why does peau d’orange occur in breast cancer?

Answer 38

Peau d’orange occurs due to lymphatic obstruction causing skin edema.

Question 39

What are the common benign breast conditions?

Answer 39

Common benign conditions include fibroadenoma, fibrocystic changes, and mastitis.

Question 40

What are the risk factors for breast cancer?

Answer 40

Risk factors for breast cancer include age, family history, hormone exposure, and genetic mutations (BRCA1/BRCA2).

Question 41

What imaging modalities are used for evaluating breast pathology?

Answer 41

Mammography, ultrasound, and MRI are key imaging modalities.

Question 42

What is the anatomical significance of the inframammary fold?

Answer 42

The inframammary fold marks the lower boundary of the breast.

Question 43

How does the mammary gland change during menopause?

Answer 43

During menopause, glandular tissue decreases, and fat deposition increases.

Question 44

What is the role of the subcutaneous fat in the breast?

Answer 44

Subcutaneous fat contributes to breast size and shape.

Question 45

What are the histological features of the mammary gland during lactation?

Answer 45

Lactating mammary glands show hypertrophy of alveoli and abundant secretory vesicles.

Question 46

What is the blood supply to the nipple?

Answer 46

The nipple receives blood from the internal thoracic, lateral thoracic, and thoracoacromial arteries.

Question 47

How do the mammary glands develop during puberty?

Answer 47

During puberty, estrogen stimulates ductal proliferation and adipose deposition.

Question 48

What is the role of the thoracoacromial artery in breast vascularization?

Answer 48

The thoracoacromial artery supplies blood to the superior portion of the breast.

Question 49

What muscles underlie the mammary gland?

Answer 49

The pectoralis major, pectoralis minor, serratus anterior, and intercostal muscles underlie the breast.

Question 50

What is the role of myoepithelial cells in lactation?

Answer 50

Myoepithelial cells contract in response to oxytocin, aiding milk ejection.