Breast

Question 1

What are the the functions of the breast?

Answer 1

Respond to sexual stimulation

Produce and secrete milk- feed babies

Question 2

Define lactation

Answer 2

Process of milk production and ejection form the mammary glands in the female breast

Question 3

What does breast milk contain?

Answer 3

All the nutrients an infant needs in its first six months of life

Antibodies (immunity)

Question 4

What hormones influence the development of mammary glands in females?

Answer 4

Oestrogen and progesterone

Question 5

When do mammary glands develop?

Answer 5

In women - during puberty

In men, don’t develop

Question 6

When does the final maturation of mammary glands occur?

Answer 6

During a females first pregnancy - mammary glands expand and branch in response to hormones

Question 7

What ducts drain the milk from mammary glands? And to where?

Answer 7

Lactiferous ducts drain the milk, towards the nipple and it is ejected out of nipple pores

Question 8

What’s the function of the areolae?

Answer 8

Contains areolar glands which secrete an oily substance called lipoid fluid which moisturises the nipple

Also acts as a target for infant!

Question 9

What’s the function of suspensory ligaments?

Answer 9

To anchor the breast to the breast wall

Question 10

What tissue makes up a large proportion of the breast?

Answer 10

Adipose tissue - supports glandular structures

Question 11

When does lactation begin?

Answer 11

When infant begins suckling breast (mechanoreceptors)

Or in response to sound of baby crying (doesn’t have to be their own baby!)

Question 12

Upon receiving stimulus to activate lactation, what does the hypothalamus do?

Answer 12

Sends signals to the posterior pituitary to make oxytocin. And sends signal to the anterior pituitary to stop prolactin inhibiting hormone release, therefore prolactin released

Question 13

What’s the function of prolactin?

Answer 13

Stimulates the mammary gland to produce milk

Question 14

What’s the function of oxytocin?

Answer 14

Stimulates the myoepithelial cells surrounding the mammary glands to contact and eject milk

Question 15

What is accessory breast tissue?

Answer 15

Abnormal, additional breast tissue present as a mass anywhere akin can embryologic mammary streak

Question 16

What is Poland syndrome?

Answer 16

A rare birth defect characterised by underdevelopment or absence of pectoralis chest muscle on one side of the body. Individuals often also show webbing of fingers on the same side hand

Question 17

What blood vessels supply the breast tissue?

Answer 17

External mammary (lateral thoracic) and internal mammary (thoracic) arteries and intercostal arteries

Question 18

List 5 risk factors for breast cancer

Answer 18

Age
Family history
Personal history
Alcohol 
Obesity
Radiation

Question 19

List things that may reduce ones risk of breast cancer

Answer 19

First pregnancy <30 years
Breast feeding
Excercise