Anatomy and Physiology of the Breast Flashcards
What is the most common and most affective screening tool of breast cancer?
Mammography
What is the first imaging sign in mammography of a developing malignancy?
Microcalcifications
Match radiopaque and radiolucent with fatty and dense breasts
Dense = radiopaque (x-ray cannot penetrate through)
Fatty = radiolucent
T or F? Mammography is good at detecting if a lesion is solid or cystic?
FALSE: cannot be determined which is when they send the patient for an ultrasound
Is the breast an endocrine or exocrine gland?
Exocrine
What is the primary function of the breast?
To produce milk
What elements of the breast tissue primarily function to produce and convey milk?
Glandular tissue
What do stromal elements of the breast consist of? (5)
- CT
- Fat
- Blood vessels
- Lymphatics
- Nerves
Unilateral early ripening or unilateral premature thelarche usually occurs prior to what age?
8 years
What is precocious puberty?
Development of both breast by the age of 8
What is the most common nipple variant?
Polythelia (accessory nipple)
T or F? Congenital nipple inversion is a normal variant?
TRUE
What type of glands are found at the areola?
Montgomery glands - secrete oil during breast feeding
What arteries supply the medial and lateral part of the breast?
Medial: Internal thoracic artery supply
Lateral: Axilla (lateral thoracic and thoracoacromial artery)
What veins drain the breast? (3)
- Axilla
- Internal thoracic
- 2-4th intercostal veins
Lymph in the breast flows through the intra-mammary nodes and lymph vessels into what?
Subareolar plexus
Where are the intra-mammary nodes of the breast especially located?
UOQ near axilla
Are intra-mammary nodes or axillary nodes more commonly seen on ultrasound?
Axillary
How big are intra-mammary nodes usually?
< 1cm
What nodes account for most of the lymph drainage?
Axillary (lateral pathway)
What is the first lymph node which drains a cancerous tumor and is at most risk for metastasis?
Sentinel Lymph Node (SLN)