Identify The Nipple, Nipple Ducts, Areola And Montogomery Tubercles On The Surface Of The Breast Flashcards
Describe an overview of the breast and anatomical location
- breasts are bilateral compound secretory glands
- breasts are also known as mammary glands
- they are position between the 2nd and 6th rib of the thorax, extending laterally from the sternum to the axilla (armpit) and lying anterior (in front of pec muscle) to the pectoralis major muscle
Describe the anatomy of the breast
Each breast is composed of varying proportions of fat and glandular tissue separated by connective tissue into lobes
Each lobe is subdivided into lobules
Lobules consist of alveoli and ducts
Describe the surface anatomy of the breast
Areola - pigmented ring round the nipple
Nipple - made of reticle tissue and sensory neurons
Montogomery tubercles - secrete sebum (oil) which lubricant areolar to reduce friction to keep healthy
Describe lobes and lobules of the breast
Approx 4 to 18 lobes in each breast composed of glandular tissue . Divided by connective tissue and adipose layer
Lobules are subdivisions of each lobe consisting of alveoli and lactiferous ducts. Collection of 10-100 alveoli from one lobule
Describe an alveoli
Alveoli are the basi glandular unit of the breast.
Alveoli contain acini cells or lactocytes responsible for secreting milk, and are surrounded by myo-epithelial cells composed of smooth muscle
Lymphocytes or monocytes are found wedged between the secretory (lactocytes) cells of the alveoli and have migrated here.
They play a role in local production of antibodies in the form of immunoglobulin A for secretion into the breast milk.
Explain the ductal system
Complex network of lactiferous ducts
Lactiferous ducts arise from alveoli and unite to form larger ducts
Transports milk to the nipple
Ducts near to nipple are more superficial and easily compressed
Ductal system stops milk ducts getting blocked and no milk leaving. Multiple ducts allow milk to leave.
