Assessing the Breast Flashcards
Structure and Function:
Breast
> > The male and female breasts are similar until puberty.
> > Female breast tissue enlarges in response to the hormones estrogen and progesterone, which are released from the ovaries.
> > > The female breast is an accessory reproductive organ with two functions: to produce and store milk that provides nourishment for newborns and to aid in sexual stimulation.
> > > The male breasts have no functional capability.
Structure and Function: Breast
> > The breasts are divided into four quadrants by drawing horizontal and vertical imaginary lines that intersect at the nipple.
> > The upper outer quadrant, which extends into the axillary area, is referred to as the tail of Spence. Most breast tumors occur in this quadrant.
> > Lymph nodes are present in both male and female breasts.
These structures drain lymph from the breasts to filter out microorganisms and return water and protein to the blood.
The nipple
• located in the center of the breast.
contains the tiny openings of the lactiferous ducts through which milk passes.
The areola
Surrounds the nipple and contains elevated sebaceous glands (Montgomery glands) that secrete a protective lipid substance during lactation.
Hair follicles commonly appear around the areola.
Smooth muscle fibers in the areola cause the nipple to become more erectile during stimulation.
External Breast
The nipple and areola
Typically have darker pigment than the surrounding breast.
Their color ranges from dark pink to dark brown, depending on the person’s skin color.
The amount of pigmentation increases with pregnancy, then decreases after lactation.
During embryonic development, a milk line or ridge extends from each axilla to the groin area.
• It gradually atrophies and disappears as the person grows and develops.
Glandular tissue
constitutes the functional part of the breast, allowing for milk production.
is arranged in 15 to 20 lobes that radiate in a circular fashion from the nipple.
Each lobe contains several lobules in which the secreting alveoli (acini cells) are embedded in grape-like clusters.
Embedded in fatty tissue.
Mammary ducts
converge into a single lactiferous duct that leaves each lobe and conveys milk to the nipple.
Lactiferous sinus
The slight enlargement in each duct before it reaches the nipple.
The milk can be stored in the lactiferous sinus (or ampullae) until stimulated to be released from the nipple.
Biological (Genetic) and Cultural Behavior Variations
• Women without breast cancer attributed the cancer to:
familial and inherited factors
lifestyle factors (poor diet, smoking)
environmental factors (such as food additives)
• Women with breast cancer attributed the cancer to:
mental or emotional factors (especially stress)
lifestyle factors
physiologic factors particularly those related to hormonal history
