Breast Flashcards
What system do the breasts belong to?
Reproductive
What type of gland is in the breasts?
Modified apocrine sweat glands: mammary glands
Describe mammary glands
modified sweat glands produce/eject milk, devel during preg by hormone stimulation, surrounded by myoepithelial cells (contract to squeeze milk through lactiferous ducts out nipple pores)
What anchors the breasts to the chest wall?
Coopers suspensory ligaments
Name the breasts blood supply
External mammary (lateral thoracic artery), Internal mammary (thoracic) arteries, Inter-costal arteries
How does lactation occur?
Suckling = mechanical-receptors –> signal to hypothalamus, 1) signal to posterior pituitary to prod oxytocin 2) signal to anterior pituitary to stop prod prolactin inhibiting hormone = prolactin prod. Prolactin: mammary gland start prod milk. Oxytocin: stim myoepithelial cells = ejecting milk
What is accessory breast tissue?
common, congenital, present as a mass along embryonic mammary streak can be found in armpit
When does breast tissue mature?
Breast tissue not fully mature until you are pregnant
Why is imaging of the breast difficult in younger people?
% of fat in breast rises with age, allows visualisation of the breast, young = dense tissue = can’t see pathology
What is Poland syndrome?
congenital abnormality = underdevelopment or absence of chest muscle on one side of body, usually accompanied by webbing of fingers of hand on same side
List the risk factors for breast cancer?
woman, age, family history, genetics, alcohol, radiation
Why when the baby is born are they put straight on the mothers chest?
Baby to breast = oxytocin = contraction of uterus = delivery of placenta, controlling postpartum bleeding
What are the treatments for breast cancer?
Surgery: breast, axilla. Adjuvant (after surgery): radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, biological
What are the benefits of having an early pregnancy in regards to breast cancer?
Early maturation of the breast tissue, protective factor
What are the roles of the areolae?
have glands secrete lipoid fluid to lubricant = stop cracking when feeding, visual target for baby
