Blood vessels, lymphatics and nerve supply

Question 1

Arterial supply to the medial aspect of the breast is via the ____, a branch of the ____

Answer 1

• Internal thoracic artery
• Subclavian artery

Question 2

The lateral part of the breast receives blood from what vessels?

Answer 2

• Lateral thoracic and thoracoacromial branches from the axillary artery
• Lateral mammary branches originate from the posterior intercostal arteries (derived from the aorta)
• Mammary branch originates from the anterior intercostal artery

Question 3

The veins of the breast correspond with the arteries, draining into the ____ and ____ veins

Answer 3

Axillary and internal thoracic

Question 4

Batson vertberal plexus

• Extends from and to
• Important property
• Clinical significance

Answer 4

• Extends from and to
  
  • Base of the skull to sacram
• Important property
  
  • Valveless
• Clinical significance
  
  • Provide a route of breast cancer metastasis

Question 5

Lymphatic drainage

Answer 5

• Lateral quadrants
  
  • into the anterior axillary or pectoral group of nodes (situated just posterior to the lower border of the pectoralis major muscle)
• Medial quadrants
  
  • into the parasternal nodes

Question 6

Nerve supply

Answer 6

4th to 6th intercostal nerves

Question 7

Axillary level I, II and III lymphatics

• Muscle used as landmark
• LN groups in each level

Answer 7

• Muscle used as landmark
  
  • Pectoralis minor
• LN groups in each level
  
  • Level I
    
    • Scapular group
    • External mammary group
    • Axillary vein group
  • Level II
    
    • Central group
    • Interpectoral group (Rotter node)
  • Level III
    
    • Subclavicular group