Breast

Question 1

Describe the breast tissue structure as well as its anatomical location

Answer 1

Breasts consist of mammary glands and associated skin and connective tissues. The mammary glands are modified sweat glands anterior to the pectoralis major muscle in the superficial fascia. They consist of:

• Secretory lobule with ducts which converge to form 15-20 lactiferous ducts that open up to the nipple (surrounded by darker area known as areola)

Anatomical location:
This is how the breast can be anatomically located.
• Vertically-ribs II-ribs VI
• Horizontally-sternum to the midaxillary line

Question 2

Clinical: How are suspensory ligaments implicated in breast cancer

Answer 2

Suspending these lobules are connective tissue known as suspensory ligaments that are attached to the dermis. In a clinical context, breast cancer causes tension in suspensory ligaments, causing pitting in the skin.

Question 3

What is the arterial supply of breast tissue

Answer 3

The breast is supplied by different arteries:
• Laterally-branches of axillary artery: superior thoracic artery, thoracoacromial artery, lateral thoracic artery and subscapular artery
• Medially-branches of the internal thoracic artery
• Anterior-2nd-4th intercostal arteries

Question 4

What is the venous drainage of breast tissue

Answer 4

The venous drainage parallel that of the breast arterial supply:
• Axillary vein
• Internal thoracic vein
• Intercostal veins

Question 5

What is lymph drainage of breast tissue

Answer 5

The breast is drained by these lymph nodes:
• Axillary lymph node (main)- drain into subclavian lymph nodes
• Parasternal lymph nodes-drain into bronchomediastinal lymph nodes
• Intercostal lymph nodes-drain into the thoracic duct