BL S10 The Breast Flashcards
What are the 3 main function of the breast?
Response to sexual stimulation and feeds babies
Exocrine gland - modified apocrine sweat gland.
What is lactation?
Why is breast milk important to a baby?
The process by which milk is made and ejected from the mammary glands inside the female breast.
Contains all necessary nutrients for first 6 months
Contains antibodies - passive immunity - not permanent though
What muscle do breast lie over?
Their respective pectoralis major.
When do mammary glands develop?
Puberty
What happens to mammary glands during pregnancy?
What do they do this in response to?
Expand and branch out.
Oestrogen and prolactin.
How is milk squeezed out of mammary glands?
Myoepithelial cells contact and squeeze milk through lactiferus ducts which join to form the nipple.
What are the functions of the areolae?
Contain areolae glands - secrete lipoid fluid - keep nipple moisturised.
Give infant target due to their vision not being optimal
Lipoid fluid - smell - attracts infant.
Why does the breast have so much adipose tissue?
To support the glandular structures.
Why are coopers ligaments?
Special suspensory ligaments
Describe the process of lactation.
Mechanoreceptors activated - suckle on breast
Signal to Hypothalamus which signals posterior pituitary to secrete oxytocin
Oxytocin stimulated myoepithelial cells to contract and eject milk.
Hypothalamus also sends OFF signals to hormone produced by the anterior pituitary called prolactin inhibiting hormone (PIH)
Prolactin produced
Causes mammary glands to produce milk
What is accessory breast tissue?
Where can it be found?
Congenital condition in which abnormal accessory tissue is seen in addition to present of normal breast tissue.
Anywhere in the embryological mammary steak - axilla to the inguinal region.
