Anatomy and physiology of the breast Flashcards
Breast development starts at the ——– and continues through ………. development
embryonic stage / fetal
Growth of the breast occurs during ………..
puberty
Estrogen is secreted by the ………….
ovaries
After puberty the structure of the breast is influenced by cyclic changes in hormone levels during the ……..
menstrual cycle
Growth of the breast is regulated by several hormones including ………… and ……………
estrogen and progesterone
………… stimulates breast epithelial proliferation
estrogen
……….. induces changes in mammary alveoli and ducts
progesterone
After ……… hormone levels decrease and breast tissue changes reverse
menstruation
During pregnancy estrogen and progesterone stimulate breast tissue to support ………….
lactation
Near ………… atrophy of the breasts occurs due to a decrease in ovarian function and estrogen/progesterone
menopause
Estrogens stimulate breast cell growth by binding to ….
ER estrogen receptors
Estrogens promote the production of ……… as well
PR progesterone receptors
Breasts lie over the ……….. muscle
pectoralis major
Breasts are attached to the muscle by a layer of ….. which is composed of dense irregular tissue
fascia
Strands of connective tissue called …………. run between skin and deep fascia to support the breasts
coopers ligaments
Each breast contains a …………..
mammary gland
Each mammary gland consists of ……….. compartments called …………that are separated by fat tissue
15-20 / lobes
Smaller compartments in the lobes are called…..
lobules
Lobules contain ……………. glands called …………
milk secreting / alveoli
Milk produced in the alveoli passes in a series of ……….. then into …………….
secondary tubules / mammary ducts
Mammary ducts expand to form ………… where milk is stored
lactiferous sinuses
Milk drains into …………. before leaving via the nipple
lactiferous ducts
The function of the breast is ………………..
lactation
Production of milk is stimulated by the hormone …….. but progesterone and estrogen play a part
prolactin
Ejection of milk is stimulated by ……. which is triggered by infant sucking on nipple
oxytocin
The lymphatic system helps …………… and ………………
circulate body fluids / defend against disease causing agents
The lymphatic system consists of fluid called …….. , vessels to transport the ………….. and ………………….
lymph / lymph / lymphatic tissue
Fluid that cannot be reabsorbed from interstitial fluid drains into ……. ………. as lymph
lymphatic capillaries
Lymph flows from lymphatic capillaries to ……….. …………
lymphatic vessels
Along lymphatic vessels are bean shaped ……… ……….
lymph nodes
Lymph nodes contain tightly packed …………… and other immune cells
lymphocytes
Lymph nodes filter lymph for disease material and drain back into ………… …………..
blood vessels
Regional lymph nodes are located …………. ………… ……………
armpits / behind rib cage near sternum / above breasts
Function of regional lymph nodes
drain the breast
Regional lymph nodes in the armpits are called
axillary lymph nodes
Regional lymph nodes behind the ribs near sternum are called
internal mammary lymph nodes
Regional lymph nodes above the breasts are called
supraclavicular nodes
Majority of lymph draining is from which nodes
axillary (97%)
Small amount of lymph draining from the …. nodes
internal (3%)
The first lymph node that cancer is likely to spread to is called
sentinel node
Sentinel node ………. is when the node is identified, removed and examined for the presence of cancer cells
sentinel node biopsy
Sentinel node biopsy is useful for …………
assessing axillary status (spread)
Breast cancer most likely to spread to …….., ………., …………., ………….
bone, lung, brain, liver
Blood is supplied to the breast via 2 branches of the …….. …………
axillary artery
The 2 branches of the axillary artery are …
internal mammary artery / lateral thoracic artery
60% of the breast is supplied by the …..
internal mammary artery
30% of the breast is supplied by the …..
lateral thoracic artery
3 main veins that drain away from the breast
internal thoracic vein / axillary vein / intercostal veins
