Breast A&P, Pathophysiology

Question 1

what allows for movement of the breast tissue

Answer 1

retromammary space, bursal tissue

Question 2

what does breast tissue contain

Answer 2

glandular tissue: ductal system, lobules
fibrous tissue: ligaments and supportive tissue
fatty tissue

Question 3

how many lobules are attached to lactiferous ducts

Answer 3

15-20 lobules of mammary glnad

Question 4

what carries the milk produced to the nipple

Answer 4

lactiferous duct

Question 5

what do the mammary duct come together to form

Answer 5

lactiferous sinus

Question 6

where is milk excreted from

Answer 6

lactiferous duct

Question 7

what is the venous drainage from in the breast

Answer 7

axillary vein primarily
sometimes to internal thoracic vein

Question 8

where does lymphatic fluid from the nipple, areola and lobules collect

Answer 8

subareolar lymphatic plexus

Question 9

where does lymph drain

Answer 9

axillary lymph nodes or into parasternal lymph nodes

Question 10

what is the innervation of the breast

Answer 10

anterior and lateral branches off intercostal nerves

Question 11

what encourages ductal growth and fat distribution

Answer 11

Estrogen

Question 12

what encourages gland growth

Answer 12

progesterone

Question 13

what is the functional unit of the breast

Answer 13

Acini (Acinus)
lined with epithelial cells, able to secrete milk

Question 14

what do the Acini dump into

Answer 14

interlobular collecting system

Question 15

what is the first sign of puberty for women

Answer 15

breast development

Question 16

what increases the development of lobular ducts and fat deposition

Answer 16

estrogen

Question 17

what stimulates milk production

Answer 17

prolactin

Question 18

what stimulates let-down effect

Answer 18

oxytocin

Question 19

what is premenstrual breast fullness or discomfort is associated with

Answer 19

progesterone causing dilation of the ducts

Question 20

how much increase in breast volume do we have during premenstrual period

Answer 20

10-30mL

Question 21

what is the first milk produced after delivery

Answer 21

colostrum

Question 22

What is fibrocystic breasts (old name)

Answer 22

most common pathology in the world
changes which lead to breast tissue being more dense
most commonly palpated in the upper/outer breast tissue

Question 23

what are fibrocystic breasts thought to be associated with

Answer 23

alteration of estrogen/progesterone or increase in prolactin

Question 24

what is a fibroadenoma

Answer 24

benign breast masses typically 1-3cm in diameter
present as firm, mobile and painless
typically solitary but can have multiple

Question 25

what is inflammation of the breast tissue typically seen with breast feeding

Answer 25

mastitis

Question 26

when is mastitis most comon

Answer 26

first 3 months of lactation

Question 27

what is the most common pathology of infectious mastitis

Answer 27

S. aureus

Question 28

what is a complication of mastitis or cellulitis with formation of pocket of purulent fluid

Answer 28

breast abscess

Question 29

what is inappropriate lactation

Answer 29

galactorrhea

Question 30

what can cause galactorrhea

Answer 30

hormonal disturbance - hyperprolactinemia
m/c associated with hypothalamic pituitary disorders, pituitary tumors or trauma
also associated with drugs

Question 31

what is excess breast tissue in males

Answer 31

gynecomastia

Question 32

when is gyneocomastia most common

Answer 32

adolescents and men >50yo

Question 33

what can cause gynecomastia

Answer 33

d/t medications, paraneoplastic syndrome. weight gain, stress

Question 34

what meds can cause gynecomastia

Answer 34

spironolactone
antipsychotics - lithium

Question 35

what are the causes of breast cancer

Answer 35

hormonal changes/triggers
genetic predisposition
epigenetics
environmental exposures
reproductive

Question 36

what is the most common breast cancer

Answer 36

adenocarcinomas (glandular cancer)