Breast - Basics

Question 1

What are 4 functions of breast epithelia?

Answer 1

Protection, Secretion, Sensation, Permeability

Question 2

What is the breast used for?

Answer 2

Milk production and secretion, sexual stimulation

Question 3

What is the breast a modified version of?

Answer 3

An apocrine gland

Question 4

What does breast milk contain?

Answer 4

Nutrients and antibodies

Question 5

What is the function of a mammary gland?

Answer 5

Produce and eject milk

Question 6

What two hormones cause the mammary glands to expand in pregnancy?

Answer 6

Prolactin and oestrogen

Question 7

Where does milk drain through from mammary gland to baby?

Answer 7

Lactiferous ducts then through nipple pores in areolae

Question 8

What’s lipoid fluid and where does it secrete from?

Answer 8

It is a moisturising secretion that also has a distinct smell thought to be recognised by baby - from areolar glands

Question 9

Why are areolae dark?

Answer 9

To guide baby. Get darker in pregnancy

Question 10

How is the breast anchored to chest wall?

Answer 10

Suspensory (Cooper’s) Ligaments

Question 11

Where is the breast situated anatomically?

Answer 11

2-6th rib

Sternal edge to anterior axillary line

Question 12

How many lobes does a breast have?

Answer 12

15-20

Question 13

What are myoepithelial cells and where are they found?

Answer 13

Myoepithelial cells encase each mammary gland and contract in response to oxytocin to eject milk

Question 14

Which 3 arteries surround the mammary glands?

Answer 14

External mammary artery
Internal mammary artery
Inter-costal arteries

Question 15

Which two hormones cause lactation?

Answer 15

Prolactin and Oxytocin

Question 16

How is lactation established?

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

What is the role of prolactin and oxytocin in lactation?

Answer 17

Prolactin causes mammary glands to produce milk

Oxytocin acts on myoepithelial cells to contract and eject milk

Question 18

What is Poland Syndrome?

Answer 18

Birth with absence of 1 chest muscle. Also commonly webbing of fingers on same side.

Question 19

What are risks/reductions of breast cancer?

Answer 19

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

Question 20

Treatments for breast cancer, surgical and medical?

Answer 20

Surgery -
Breast - WLE or mastectomy
Axillar - SLNB, Sample, Clearance

Adjuvant -
DXT, Chemo, Hormonal, Biological

Question 21

What is a break through of recent oncoplastic surgery?

Answer 21

Can do breast reduction removal of cancer over full mastectomy in some types

Question 22

What is the BC screening programme and what is an issue with it?

Answer 22

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