Anatomy of the breast

Question 1

anatomical location of breast tissue

Answer 1

anterior thoracic wall; overlaying pectoralis major
ribs 2-6 and costal catilage
extends form lateral margin of the sternum to mid-axillary

Question 2

What does the deep surface of the breast lie on

Answer 2

deep fascia covering the muslces of the anterior and lateral aspect of the thorax

Question 3

What does the mammary ducts converge to form?

Answer 3

15-20 lactiferous ducts

Question 4

What two components does the connective tissue stroma have

Answer 4

Fibous anf fatty component

Question 5

WHat does the fibrous stroma condense to form

Answer 5

suspensory ligaments

Question 6

What are the two main functions of suspensory ligaments

Answer 6

Attach and secure the breast to the underlying fasia

seperate secretory lobules

Question 7

What is the overall structure of the breast

Answer 7

Lobes made up of lobules consisting of clusters of alveoli containing lactocytes

Question 8

What occurs during puberty in regards to breast development

Answer 8

Begins with evelation of the papilla, with a surge in oestrogen as well as growth hormone and IGF-1
Formation of the breast bud with elevation of the nipple as well as a small mound of breast tissue and enlargemnt of areola and nipple
Results in seconds mound on the breast which connects with the former

Question 9

WHat occurs to breast during pregnancy

Answer 9

Increased oestrogen, progestrone and prolactin resulting in the breast increasing in water, electrolyte and adipose content
Increased vascular branching and dialated veins increas blood flow to breast
size and pigmentation of the nipples also increases
Sebaceous glands on the periphary of the areola enlarge and produce lubricant
Ductal, alveolar and myoepityhalial elements undergo marked hyperplasia

Question 10

What happens to breast alveoli in response to progesterone during pregnancy

Answer 10

Breast alveoli bud from the ducts and expand outwards towards the chest wall
Breast alveoli are ballon-like structures lined with lactocytes, that surrounded by a net of contractile myoepithlial cells

Question 11

What is lactation

Answer 11

procvess by which milk is synthesised and secreted from the mammary glands of the postpartum female breast

Question 12

How does post-partum lactation take place

Answer 12

Sucking triggers sensory nerve impulses in the areola
This causes milk to be secreted from the lactocytes and fill the alveoli
Sucking also causes oxytocin release from the hypothalamus and neurohypophysis
oxytocin triggers myoepithelial cells to squeeze the produced milk into the ducts, into the sinuses and nipple pores

Question 13

Why is no milk produced during pregnancy

Answer 13

Ostrogen, progesterone, and other placental hormones inhibit prolactin-mediated milk synthesis during pregnancy

Question 14

Why are prolactin and oxytocin important in lactation

Answer 14

Prolactin causes establishment and maintenance of breast milk supply and oxytocin stimulates release of breast milk

Question 15

What are the 3 main arterial supplies to breast

Answer 15

Lateral supply from axillary artery
Medial supply from the branches of internal thoracic artery
2-4th intercostal arteries via perforating branches

Question 16

What are the two laterally supplying axillary arteries

Answer 16

Thoracoacromial a.

lateral thoracic a.

Question 17

Innervation to breast

Answer 17

Anterior and lateral cutaneous branches of T2-T6 intercostal nerves

Question 18

which intercostal nerve innervates the nipple

Answer 18

4th

Question 19

What nerve is usually open to damage during lymph node dissection

Answer 19

The lateral cutaneous branch of T2 called intercostabrachial nerve

Question 20

What is the lymphatic system

Answer 20

A system that produces , maintains and distributes lymphocytes that provide defence

Question 21

Where are most lymphocytes stored

Answer 21

Lymphoid organs and tissues

spleen, thymus, tonsils, lymph nodes

Question 22

What is lymph

Answer 22

Fluid that resembles plasma

Question 23

What are lymphatic vessels

Answer 23

Begin in peripheral tissues and end at connections to veins
Tubes that assist the cardiovascular system
Remove tissue fluid from tissue spaces of the body and return to the blood

Question 24

What are lymphatic tissues

Answer 24

Types of connective tissues containing lymphocytes

Essential for immunologic defence of the body

Question 25

What are the lymphatic organs

Answer 25

Includes thymus and spleen

Production of lymphocytes for the immune response

Question 26

Order of the lymphatic system

Answer 26

Lymphatic capillaries -> Lymphatic vessels -> Lymphatic trunks -> Lymphatic ducts -> Circulation

Question 27

What are lymphatic capillaries

Answer 27

Branch through peripheral tissue
Present in almost every tissue and organ in the body
Originate in pockets
Large diameter and thin walls

Question 28

Lymphatic trunk

Answer 28

Superficial and deep lymphatics converge to form Lymphatic trunks, which empty into large collecting vessels: thoracic duct and right lymphatic duct

Question 29

Lymphatic ducts

Answer 29

Thoracic duct begins inferior to diaphragm
Base of thoracic duct is expanded, receiving lymph from abdomen, pelvis and lower limbs
Right lymphatic duct delivers lymph from right side of body, superior to diaphragm

Question 30

What are lymph nodes

Answer 30

Kidney bean shaped
filter system to purify lymph
Serves as an early warning system for infection or abnormality
Minor injury may produce enlargement of nodes along a lymphatic vessel

Question 31

What is chronic enlargement of lymph node called

Answer 31

Lymphadenopathy

Question 32

What is the pattern of distribution of lymph nodes

Answer 32

Largest lymph node are located where peripheral lymphatics connect with the trunk, such as groin, axillae and base of neck

Question 33

What does the lymphatic drainage of the breast tissue

Where does it originate

Answer 33

Axilla

Originates from breast lobules and flows into a sub areolar plexus

Question 34

When does secondary breast cancer occur

Answer 34

When breast cancer cells spread from the first cancer in the breast through the lymphatic or blood system to other parts of the body