Breast Anatomy and Pathophysiology Flashcards
Breast tissue lies on what?
Pectoral fascia
What does the retrommamary space allow for?
Movement via bursal tissue
What ligament supports the breast superiorly?
Suspensory ligaments
Lactiferous ducts are attached to what?
Lobules of the mammary gland
What will compress the areola and stimulate hormonal mediated let-down reflex?
Nursing
Venous drainage is from what vein primarily?
Axillary
Where does the axillary lymph nodes drain?
Drain into the clavicular nodes –> subclavian –> lymphatic trunk
When does breast tissue stop growing and will diminish?
Around 35 years of age
What hormone promotes breast gland growth?
Progesterone
What is the first sign of puberty in women?
Breast development (“breast buds”)
How long does full breast development take?
About 4 years
What hormone develops the functional cells that line the acini?
Progesterone
What hormone stimulates milk production?
Prolactin
What hormone stimulates let-down?
Oxytocin
What is the first milk produced after delivery?
Colostrum
Where do fibrotic changes typically palpated?
upper/outer breast tissue
What is the pathophysiology of fibrocytic breasts?
No difinitive cause, thought to be associated with alteration of estrogen/progresterone or increase in prolactin
How do fibroadenoma’s present?
Firm, well-circumscribed, mobile, and painless mass
Typically a solitary mass
Does fibroademoa’s increase the risk of breast cancer?
No
What is the cause of fibroadenoma’s?
Overgrowth of epithelial and supporting structural cells
What is mastitis?
Inflammation of breast tissues typically with breast feeding
*If seen in non-breastfeeding pt, need to think of underlying issue
When are you concerned for infection for infectious etiology in mastitis?
12-24 hours after onset of symptoms (fever)
What pathogen is most common in mastitis?
S. aureus
What are the most common associated diagnosis with galactorrhea?
Hypothalamic pituitary disorders
Pituitary tumors
Trauma
What does red discharge from the breasts suggest?
Cancer
Galactorrhea is most commonly caused by
Hyperprolactonemia
When is gynecomastia normal?
Puberty (resolves in 6 mo)
What is the normal role of the BRCA genes?
tumor suppression
What are the functional units of the lobules?
Acini, lined with epithelial cells and can secrete milk
What cell type allows for ejection of milk?
Underlying the acini are myoepithelial cells that can contract to cause ejection of the milk
When is pain most common in fibrocystic breast changes?
Around time of menstruation
