Breast Anatomy Flashcards
What are breasts and where are they found?
Bilateral compound secretory glands
Also known as mammary glands
Between 2nd and 6th rib
What are breasts composed of?
Fat
Glandular tissues
Separated by connective tissue,
What are breast divisions called?
Lobes
What are lobes divided into?
Lobules
Contains lots of alveoli and ducts
What happens at the nipple?
Milk exits here through milk ducts
What is the areola?
Darker ring of pigmentation surrounding the nipple
Montgomery tubercles
Sebaceous glands
Releasing oils to lubricate the nipple to prevent any sores from breastfeeding
What are the benefits of lobes?
An infection will one will stop it spreading to other lobes
What do alveoli contain?
Acini cells
Secretes milk
Surrounded by myo-epithelial cells (smooth muscle)
What is the reason for lymphocytes being wedged between acini cells?
Antibodies can be secreted into the breastmilk
What does the Ducal system contain?
Complex network of lactiferous ducts
Connects to form larger ducts
Ducts nearer to nipple are more superficial and easily compressed
Benefit of having ducts closer to the nipple easily compressed?
Milk leaves the ducts and enters baby’s mouth quicker
Order of ducts size:
Ductal network (smallest)
Lactiferous ducts (second largest)
Nipple ducts (largest)
Where is subcutaneous fat located?
Underneath the skin
Where is interglandular fat located?
In between the glands
