Breast Anatomy and Histology

Question 1

Describes what happens to the breasts in the first trimester of pregnancy?

Answer 1

• Elongation and branching of the smaller ducts.

- Proliferation of the epithelial cells of the gland

Question 2

Describes what happens to the breasts in the second trimester of pregnancy?

Answer 2

• Continual development of glandular tissue

- Differentiation of secretory alveoli

Question 3

Describes what happens to the breasts in the third trimester of pregnancy?

Answer 3

• Secretory alveoli continue to mature

- Development of an extensive ER

Question 4

Does the amount of adipose tissue in the breast increase or decrease in pregnancy?

Answer 4

Decrease

Question 5

What hormones stimulate the proliferation of secretory tissue and cause fibro fatty tissue to become sparse?

Answer 5

Oestrogen and Progesterone

Question 6

What class of antibodies are found in breast milk?

Answer 6

IgA

Question 7

What are the main proteins in human breast milk?

Answer 7

Lactalbumin

Casein

Question 8

Describe the composition of human breast milk

Answer 8

88% water
1.5% protein
7% Carbohydrate
3.5% Lipid

Question 9

In breast milk, are lipid droplets secreted by apocrine or merocrine secretion?

Answer 9

Apocrine

Question 10

In breast milk; are proteins secreted by apocrine or merocrine secretion?

Answer 10

Merocrine

Question 11

What changes occur in the breast after menopause?

Answer 11

Secretory cells degenerate leaving only ducts
Fewer fibroblasts
Reduced collagen and elastic fibres

Question 12

Approximately how many lobes are in the female breast?

Answer 12

15 - 20

Question 13

Where do the lobes of the breast empty into?

Answer 13

Lactiferous ducts and then via ampullae under the areola to the nipple.

Question 14

What arteries supply the medial aspect of the breast?

Answer 14

Branches of the internal thoracic and anterior intercostal arteries (especially the third and fourth)

Question 15

What arteries supply the lateral aspect of the breast?

Answer 15

Superior thoracic
Thoraco acromial
Lateral thoracic
(All branches of the axillary artery)

Question 16

What are the two main arteries that supply the breast?

Answer 16

Internal thoracic

Axillary artery

Question 17

Describe how the axillary lymph nodes are arranged around the breast (Hint: APICAL)

Answer 17

Anterior: Just below the lower lateral edge of pectoralis minor
Posterior: On subscapularis
Infraclavicular
Central: Lying behind pectoralis major
Apical: Lying medially to the upper border or pectoralis minor
Lateral: Around the axillary vein

Question 18

Where do the anterior lymph nodes draining the breast then breast drain to?

Answer 18

The central nodes

Question 19

Where do the posterior and lateral groups draining the breast drain to?

Answer 19

The central nodes

Question 20

Where do the central nodes and infraclavicular nodes draining the breast, then drain to?

Answer 20

Apical nodes

Question 21

In relation to the staging of breast tumours: What is meant by a level 1 lymph node?

Answer 21

Cancer in the anterior group of lymph nodes which lie at the lateral edge of pectoralis minor

Question 22

In relation to the staging of breast tumours: What is meant by a level 2 lymph node?

Answer 22

cancer in the central node behind pectoralis minor

Question 23

In relation to the staging of breast tumours: What is meant by a level 3 lymph node?

Answer 23

Cancer in the apical node; medial to the medial border of pectoralis minor

Question 24

At what time in pregnancy do the breasts increase in size most rapidly?

Answer 24

In the first 8 weeks

Question 25

What is the name of the gland that surrounds the areola and becomes darker during pregnancy?

Answer 25

Montgomerys gland

Question 26

Why is there no milk produced during pregnancy?

Answer 26

Oestrogen and Progesterone inhibit some of the prolactin recpetors. After birth, when levels of these decrease and milk is produced

Question 27

Do breasts become more or less dense after the menopause?

Answer 27

Less dense