4. Breast anatomy

Question 1

Which key structure of the breasts is involved in lactation? What type of gland are they?
(think of sweat glands).

Answer 1

Mammary glands.

- They are modified sweat glands.

Question 2

Which two muscles do the breasts lie superficial to?

Answer 2

• Serratus anterior and pec major.

Question 3

Which structure is abundant in the areolae? How do these structures change during pregnancy and why?

Answer 3

Sebaceous glands.

They enlarge during pregnancy and secrete sebum which acts as a protective lubricant for the nipple.

Question 4

What are the mammary glands made up of?

Answer 4

• nodes and secretory lobules.

Question 5

Each lobule consists of many alveoli. They are drained by a single structure. What is this structure called?

Answer 5

• lactiferous ducts.

Question 6

What tissue are the mammary glands surrounded by? What are the two components of this tissue?

Answer 6

• connective stroma.

- fibrous and fatty component.

Question 7

What is the name of the connective tissue in breasts that aid in maintaining it’s structural integrity? How are these tissues formed?

Answer 7

• suspensory ligaments of Cooper.

- the fibrous stroma condenses to form these ligaments.

Question 8

What is the attachment point for the suspensory ligaments?

Answer 8

• pectoral fascia.

Question 9

What are the two functions of Cooper’s ligament.

Answer 9

• to secure the breast to the dermis and pectoral fascia.

- to separate the breast lobules.

Question 10

Which site in the breast is clinically relevant for breast implantation?

Answer 10

Retromammary space.

Question 11

Which artery supplies the medial aspect of the breast? And which artery is it a branch of?

Answer 11

• Internal thoracic artery/internal mammary artery.

- branch from the subclavian artery.

Question 12

Which arteries supply the lateral aspect of the breast?

Answer 12

• lateral thoracoacromial artery.
• lateral mammary branches.
• mammary branches.

Question 13

There are three lymph nodes that receive lymph from the breast tissue, what are they?

Answer 13

• Axillary lymph node.
• Parasternal lymph node.
• Posterior intercostal lymph nodes.

Question 14

Where does the skin around the nipple drain into? (lymph node)

Answer 14

• axillary, inferior deep cervical and infraclavicular nodes.

Question 15

Where does the nipple drain into? (lymph node)

Answer 15

• subareolar lymphatic plexus.

Question 16

Which nerves supply the breast?

Answer 16

• anterior and lateral cutaneous branches of the 4th and 6th intercostal nerves.