Breast - Basics Flashcards
What are 4 functions of breast epithelia?
Protection, Secretion, Sensation, Permeability
What is the breast used for?
Milk production and secretion, sexual stimulation
What is the breast a modified version of?
An apocrine gland
What does breast milk contain?
Nutrients and antibodies
What is the function of a mammary gland?
Produce and eject milk
What two hormones cause the mammary glands to expand in pregnancy?
Prolactin and oestrogen
Where does milk drain through from mammary gland to baby?
Lactiferous ducts then through nipple pores in areolae
What’s lipoid fluid and where does it secrete from?
It is a moisturising secretion that also has a distinct smell thought to be recognised by baby - from areolar glands
Why are areolae dark?
To guide baby. Get darker in pregnancy
How is the breast anchored to chest wall?
Suspensory (Cooper’s) Ligaments
Where is the breast situated anatomically?
2-6th rib
Sternal edge to anterior axillary line
How many lobes does a breast have?
15-20
What are myoepithelial cells and where are they found?
Myoepithelial cells encase each mammary gland and contract in response to oxytocin to eject milk
Which 3 arteries surround the mammary glands?
External mammary artery
Internal mammary artery
Inter-costal arteries
Which two hormones cause lactation?
Prolactin and Oxytocin
How is lactation established?
Begins with baby cry (any) or baby latching - stimulates mechanoreceptors to hypothalamus - sends ON signal to posterior pituitary to make oxytocin, and sends OFF signal to anterior pituitary that activates PIH neurons to make prolactin.
What is the role of prolactin and oxytocin in lactation?
Prolactin causes mammary glands to produce milk
Oxytocin acts on myoepithelial cells to contract and eject milk
What is Poland Syndrome?
Birth with absence of 1 chest muscle. Also commonly webbing of fingers on same side.
What are risks/reductions of breast cancer?
Risks: female, age, FH, personal history, alcohol, genetics, obesity, radiation, high socioeconomic class (babies later - less protection)
Reductions: pregnancy before 30, breast feeding, exercise, ?diet
Treatments for breast cancer, surgical and medical?
Surgery -
Breast - WLE or mastectomy
Axillar - SLNB, Sample, Clearance
Adjuvant -
DXT, Chemo, Hormonal, Biological
What is a break through of recent oncoplastic surgery?
Can do breast reduction removal of cancer over full mastectomy in some types
What is the BC screening programme and what is an issue with it?
Now 47-73yrs get 3 yearly screenings.
Problem is overdiagnosis and also shouldn’t override need to check breasts as still 50:50 cancers found by lump vs mammogram
