Breast Anatomy Flashcards
What is the function of the breast?
To secrete milk during lactation
What are the parts that make up the breast? (12)
- Pectoralis major muscle
- Pectoralis fascia (connective tissue)
- Mammary fat
- Lobules
- Cooper ligaments
- Lactiferous ducts
- Acini
- Nipple
- Subcutaneous layer
- Mammary layer
- Retromammary layer
- Axillary tail
How should mammary fat appear on U/S?
Medium grey echogenicity
How many lobules make up the breast?
15-20
Where is the most common place for pathologies in the breast?
Terminal duct-lobular units
What do the Cooper ligaments do?
Helps to support the breast with structure
- suspensory ligaments
What are the milk containing glands called?
Acini
- or alveoli
How many lactiferous ducts are found near the opening of the nipple?
20
What is found in the subcutaneous layer of the breast?
Connective tissue
How thick should the skin by in the subcutaneous layer?
2mm or less
What breast layer is primary made up of the breast parenchyma?
Mammary layer
Where is the mammary layer located?
Between the subcutaneous layer and the retromammary layer
What layer has the most pathology in it?
Mammary layer
What layer undergoes the most changes over time?
Mammary layer
What is the retromammary layer mostly composed of?
fat
What does the retromammary layer cover?
The pectoralis major muscle
What is another term for the axillary tail?
Tail of spence
Where does the axillary tail extend to?
From the lateral breast to the axillary
Where is a common site for lymph nodes?
Axilla
Where should you ALWAYS check if you find cancer in the breast?
Axilla
What percentage of palpable breast carcinoma have axillary lymph node involvement?
40-50%
What are 3 attributes for a normal lymph node?
- Oval in shape
- Echogenic, central, fatty hilum
- Hypoechoic cortex
What happens to the lymph node when malignancy is involved? (2)
- Cortical hypertrophy
- Displacement or loss of the central hilum
Where are lymph nodes usually located?
Upper outer quadrant
