BREAST Flashcards
where are the breasts located?
located in the pectoral region on each side of the anterior thoracic wall
what are the medial lateral, superior and inferior boundaries of the breast?
- medial = lateral border of the sternum
- lateral = mid axillary line
- superior = 2nd rib
- inferior = inframammary fold at the 7th rib
where does the base of the breast extend vertically and transversely from?
extends vertically from the 2nd to 6th rib, extends transversely from the sternum to the mid-axillary line
what muscle do the breasts lie on?
lie in the superficial fascia anterior to the deep fascia of the pectoralis major muscle
what is the retromammary space?
= a layer of loose connective tissue that separates the breasts from the deep fascia (a connective tissue plane that lies between the breast tissue and deep fascia)
what is the axillary tail?
a small portion of breast tissue that pierces the deep fascia and extends into the axilla
how many lobes of glandular tissue does each breast contain?
15-20 lobes of glandular tissue
what surrounds the glandular tissue?
various amounts of fat
what drains each lobe?
a single lactiferous duct drains each lobe
what do the lactiferous ducts form when they enlarge?
the lactiferous ducts enlarge and form a chamber called the lactiferous sinus that opens onto the surface of each nipple
what is the breast made of?
15-20 lobules of glandular tissue embedded in fat , separated by fibrous septa (suspensory ligaments)
what is the name of the ducts that drain each lobule and where do they open?
lactiferous ducts — open onto the nipple
what is the areolar?
pigmented area that surrounds the nipple which contains sebaceous glands that lubricate the nipple
what vessels supply the breast with a rich blood supply?
lateral thoracic and acromiothoracic (branches of axillary), internal thoracic and intercostal arteries
what nodes receive lymph from the breasts?
axillary (75%), parasternal and subphrenic
