breast

Question 1

what is the female breast?

Answer 1

excretory organ that contains mammary glands for producing milk for newborns

Question 2

where are the breasts found?

Answer 2

in the anterior thoracic wall, anterior to the deep fascia and pectoral muscles .. separated from them by the retromammary space

Question 3

what does each breast consist of?

Answer 3

mammary glands and surrounding connective tissue

Question 4

what type of gland is the female breast?

Answer 4

an apocrine gland - a modified sweat gland

Question 5

why are the breasts & mammary glands structurally dynamic?

Answer 5

because the anatomy changes depending on the woman’s age, menstrual cycle phase and reproductive status

Question 6

how dos the nipple begin in the embryo?

Answer 6

-as an invagination (interning) in the ectoderm

Question 7

where does the remainder of the breast apart from the nipple come from?

Answer 7

• the remainder of the breast comes from the mesoderm - this process occurs in both males and females and the next phase of breast development is in puberty

Question 8

what are important structures located on the breast?

Answer 8

-nipple
-areola
-anterior axillary fold
-axillary tail

Question 9

what is the axillary tail of the breast?

Answer 9

an extension of the tissue of the breast that extends into the axilla

Question 10

Briefly describe the histology of the mammary gland

Answer 10

-gland is composed of 15-20 secretory loves which are separated by fibrous bands called the suspensory ligaments of the breast (of Cooper)
-the lobes contain numerous lobules that are made of up tubuloalveolar glands
the lactiferous ducts converge and open into the nipple

Question 11

Briefly describe nipple anatomy

Answer 11

the nipple is surrounded by a pigmented circular region of skin called the areola - which becomes more pigmented during puberty

Question 12

what main arteries supplies the breast?

Answer 12

branches from the axillary artery and the internal thoracic artery

Question 13

what branches of the axillary artery supply the breast? SALSAP

Answer 13

-S- superior thoracic (1st part)
-A- thoracoacromial
L-lateral thoracic

S- subscapular
A- anterior circumflex humeral
P- posterior circumflex humeral

Question 14

what are the elevations / openings on the areola?

Answer 14

sebaceous glands called Montgomerys glands

Question 15

what are acini?

Answer 15

groups of cells arranged in a partial sphere around the origin of a duct

Question 16

what kind of epithelium lines the ducts in the breast?

Answer 16

cuboidal epithelium except near the opening, where stratified squamous epithelium takes over

Question 17

what’s different about the postmenopausal breast compared to premenopausal?

Answer 17

• shows a reduction in the amount of glandular tissue
  -fewer acini
  smaller epithelial cells

Question 18

why is lymphatic drainage so important with the breast?

Answer 18

due to cancer - this is how the cancer spreads to other parts of the body

Question 19

what does most of the lymph from the breast drain into?

Answer 19

the axillary lymph nodes

Question 20

where do the axillary nodes drain the lymph into?

Answer 20

subclavian lymphatic trunks

Question 21

what are the 5 groups of axillary lymph nodes?

Answer 21

-apical
-central
-anterior
-posterior
-lateral

Question 22

what nerves supply the breast?

Answer 22

the 4th to 6th anterior and lateral intercostal nerves
they carry sensation and autonomic fibres

Question 23

what is mastitis?

Answer 23

inflammation or infection of the breast

Question 24

what is the most common cancer in women in the world? how many out of 8 women can get it ?

Answer 24

breast cancer
1 in 8 women

Question 25

in an adult female where does the base of the breast extend from?

Answer 25

2nd to 6th ribs intercostal space in the mid axillary line