Breast

Question 1

What does breast tissue consist of?

Answer 1

mammary glands, fat and fibrous tissue

Question 2

What segment levels are the breasts located?

Answer 2

between second and sixth ribs and between the sternum and midaxillary line

Question 3

what is the midaxillary line?

Answer 3

vertical line dividing the armpit into anterior and posterior halves

Question 4

What level is the nipple usually located?

Answer 4

fourth intercostal space

Question 5

What is the ring of pigmented skin which surrounds the nipple?

Answer 5

areola

Question 6

What is the portion of the breast which extends back into the armpit and is a frequent site for cancer?

Answer 6

axillary process (tail)

Question 7

What is the strong fibrous septa which supports the breast and which run through the breast from the skin to the deep layer of superficial fascia?

Answer 7

suspensory ligaments of breast

Question 8

What is the mammary gland?

Answer 8

modified sweat gland located in the superficial fascia

Question 9

What does each lobe of glandular tissue open onto?

Answer 9

tip of the nipple through a lactiferous duct

Question 10

What is the expansion of the lactiferous duct that serves as a reservoir for milk during lactation?

Answer 10

lactiferous sinus

Question 11

What blood vessels supply the breast?

Answer 11

internal thoracic artery, thoracoacromial artery, lateral thoracic artery, and intercostal arteries

Question 12

What lymphatic vessels drain the breast?

Answer 12

axillary nodes (most important), parasternal nodes, nodes of opposite breast, nodes of anterior abdominal wall

Question 13

75% of lymph drains from breast into what nodes?

Answer 13

axillary nodes

Question 14

What is the most common cancer in women?

Answer 14

breast cancer

Question 15

Where does breast cancer spread to first?

Answer 15

axillary portion

Question 16

What are the signs of breast cancer?

Answer 16

dimpling (due to invasion of suspensory ligaments)
inverted nipples (due to invasion of lactiferous ducts)
leathery thickening of skin (like an orange)

Question 17

Breast cancer is one cause of what in females?

Answer 17

midthoracic back pain