Breast Anatomy

Question 1

What are breasts and where are they found?

Answer 1

Bilateral compound secretory glands
Also known as mammary glands
Between 2nd and 6th rib

Question 2

What are breasts composed of?

Answer 2

Fat
Glandular tissues
Separated by connective tissue,

Question 3

What are breast divisions called?

Answer 3

Lobes

Question 4

What are lobes divided into?

Answer 4

Lobules
Contains lots of alveoli and ducts

Question 5

What happens at the nipple?

Answer 5

Milk exits here through milk ducts

Question 6

What is the areola?

Answer 6

Darker ring of pigmentation surrounding the nipple

Question 7

Montgomery tubercles

Answer 7

Sebaceous glands
Releasing oils to lubricate the nipple to prevent any sores from breastfeeding

Question 8

What are the benefits of lobes?

Answer 8

An infection will one will stop it spreading to other lobes

Question 9

What do alveoli contain?

Answer 9

Acini cells
Secretes milk
Surrounded by myo-epithelial cells (smooth muscle)

Question 10

What is the reason for lymphocytes being wedged between acini cells?

Answer 10

Antibodies can be secreted into the breastmilk

Question 11

What does the Ducal system contain?

Answer 11

Complex network of lactiferous ducts
Connects to form larger ducts
Ducts nearer to nipple are more superficial and easily compressed

Question 12

Benefit of having ducts closer to the nipple easily compressed?

Answer 12

Milk leaves the ducts and enters baby’s mouth quicker

Question 13

Order of ducts size:

Answer 13

Ductal network (smallest)
Lactiferous ducts (second largest)
Nipple ducts (largest)

Question 14

Where is subcutaneous fat located?

Answer 14

Underneath the skin

Question 15

Where is interglandular fat located?

Answer 15

In between the glands

Question 16

Where is retroglandular fat located?

Answer 16

Behind the breast

Question 17

What is the function of the coopers ligament?

Answer 17

Attaches breast to the chest wall

Question 18

Blood supply

Answer 18

Internal and external mammary arteries
Intercostal arteries

Question 19

Mammogenesis in fetus

Answer 19

Development of ductal system in uterus
Mammary specific cells present from 4-6 weeks gestation

Question 20

Mammogenesis in neonatal

Answer 20

Glandular tissue is present
Milk may be produced (galactorrhea) irrespective of fetus sex

Question 21

Breast development at puberty

Answer 21

Breast development under influence of oestrogen and progesterone
First secondary sex characteristics
Nipple size increases
Areola pigmentation
Changes occur during cycle

Question 22

Breast development during pregnancy

Answer 22

Glandular development -progesterone
Ductal development- oestrogen
Colostrum is synthesised
Lactation is suppressed due to placental hormones