Breast Exam Flashcards
Female Breast Structures
fat, glandular and connective tissue, as well as lobes, lobules, ducts, lymph nodes, blood vessels and ligaments
Lobules and ducts
Lobules branch out from the nipple - each holds tiny, hollow sacs (alveoli).
The lobules are linked by a network of thin tubes (ducts).
If you’re breast-feeding, ducts carry milk from the alveoli toward the dark area of skin in the center of the breast (areola).
From the areola, the ducts join together into larger ducts ending at the nipple.
Superior breast anatomy
Breast tissue extends superiorly from the second and third ribs, inferiorly to the inframammary fold, and transversely from the sternum to the midaxillary lines.
Tail of Spence
peninsula of breast tissue may project into the axilla
It passes through an opening in the deep Pectoral fascia is known as (foramen of langer)
Two facial layers that enclose the breast tissue
- superficial layer beneath the dermis
- The deep layer overlying the pectoralis major muscle fascia
Breast tissue overlaying the dermis via bands of connective tissue
ligaments of Cooper
+ retro-mammary bursa, support the breast’s position while allowing free movement over the underlying thoracic walls
Breast positioning
base of the breast - 2nd - 6th ribs
From the lateral margin of the sternum to the mid axillary line
Foramen of langer
a defect in the deep pectoralis fascia at the level of the third intercostal space, through which the upper lateral portion of the breast extends into the axilla forming the axillary tail of Spence.
Breast Muscle
The breast has no muscle tissue.
Muscles lie underneath the breasts, however, separating them from your ribs.
Lymphatics of the breast
- Superficial lymphatics: Drains skin over the breasts except nipple and areola
- Deep lymphatics:
Drains the parenchyma of breasts and drains the nipple and areola
Deep surface of breast
- The retromammary space: - It is loose areolar tissue between the gland and deep fascia (pectoral fascia)- Allows the free mobility of the breast over the deep fascia.
- The deep fascia : covering the pectoralis major muscle
- The flat base of the breast lies on the pectoralis major (medial 2/3) and serratus anterior (lateral 1/3).
- The lower lateral part of the gland rests on the external oblique muscle of the abdomen
Breast Lymphatic Drainage
- Axillary Lymph node
Drains 75% of chest wall and upper extremity - Dermal Lymphatics
Allows spread to the other breast - Inferior Nodes
Spread to stomach and liver - Infrasternal nodes
Spread to vertebral column up to the brain - Rotter’s nodes
Bypass the axillary nodes
Arterial supply to the breasts
1) Internal Thoracic Artery -50%
2) Intercostal Artery
3) Axillary Artery
Nerve supply of the breast
- Intercostal nerves 2nd-6th
- Lateral Cutaneous nerves - 3-6
- Supraclavicular branches
Venous Drainage
1) Axillary vein is main route
2) Internal mammary vein
3) Intercostal Vein
Breast fascia positioning
Deep layer of this fasciasits immediately atop the pectoralis muscle
Superficial layer sits just under the skin.
projection from just below the center of the breast , Lies in the 4th intercostal space, contains circular smooth muscle
Nipple
Carries the opening of lactiferous ducts (15-20 openings.
Longitudinal smooth muscle - flattens the nipple
Pigmented area of skin that surrounds the base of the nipple and outer margin structure.
Areola -
It is rich in modified sebaceous gland particularly at the outer margin.
1) Papilla mammaria
2) Areola mammae
3) Tubercula areolae
Tubercule of Montgomery
sebaceous (oil) glands that appear as small bumps around the dark area of the nipple.
primary function -lubricating and keeping germs away from the breasts.
Breast Development stages
Stage 1: Prepubertal.
Stage 2: Breast bud stage with elevation of breast and papilla; enlargement of areola.
Stage 3: Further enlargement of breast and areola; no separation of their contour.
Stage 4: Areola and papilla form a secondary mound above level of breast.
Stage 5: Mature stage with projection of papilla only, related to recession of areola.
Benign Diseases of the Breast.
Fibroadenoma
Fibrocystic Disease
Galactocele
Mastitis
Breast Abscess
Hematoma
Fibroadenoma
common noncancerous (benign) breast lumps that rarely increase breast cancer risk.
(may get bigger or smaller over time)