Breast Histology Flashcards
What layer of the skin is the breast found within?
subcutaneous
What type of glands are found within the breast?
compound tubulo-acinar gland
What is found adjacent to the secretory lobules of the breast?
dense fibrous tissue
What surrounds the dense fibrous tissue of the breast?
adipose tissue
What are the suspensory ligaments of the breast?
large condensations of fibrous connective tissue
What do the suspensory ligaments attach between?
dermis of the skin to the deep fascai overlying the muscles of the anterior chest wall
What area of the breast are suspensory ligaments most ponounced?
upper breast
What is the basic functional secretory unit of the breast?
terminal duct lobular unit
Where do the terminal ductules drain into?
intralobular collecting duct
What does the intralobular collecting duct lead into?
lactiferous duct for that lobe
What is the expanded duct region near the nipple known as?
lactiferous sinus
What surrounds the acini wtihin the lobule?
loose connective tissue
What is the function of loose connective tissue within the lobules of the breast?
allow for rapid expansion during pregnancy
What cell type surrounds the secretory cells of the acinus?
myoepithelial cells
What secretory epithelia is found within the lobule?
varies from cuboidal to columnar
What epithelium is found within the larger ducts eg lactiferous duct?
varies from thin stratified squamous to stratified cuboidal
What epithelium covers the nipple?
thin, highly pigmented keratinised stratified squamous epithelium
What makes up the cord of hte nipple?
dense irregular connective tissue mixed with smooth muscle
what is the function of a lactiferous duct?
serves one lobe fo the breast
What lines the lactiferous ducts as it approaches the surface?
stratified squamous epithelium
What is different about the sebaceous glands of the nipple?
end directly on the skin instead of on a hair follicle
What happens to the mammary glands during the luteal phase of htem menstrual cycle?
epithelial cells increased in heighgt; lumen of ducts increases and small amounts of secretions appear in the ducts
What changes are seen to the breast during the first trimester of pregnancy?
elongation and branching of the smaller ducts; proliferation of the epithelial cells of the glands and myoepithelial cells
What changes are seen in the breast in the second trimester?
glandular tissue continues developing; differentiation of secretory alveoli; plasma ells and lymphcytes infiltrates connective tissue
What changes are seen in the breast in the third trimester?
secretory alveoli continue to mature with development of extensive rER
What is the function of oestrogen and progesterone on the mammary gland during pregnancy?
stimulate proliferation of secretory tissue and fibro-fatty tissue becomes sparse
What substance is secreted via apocrine secretion?
lipids
What substance is secreted via merocrine secretion (exocytosis)?
protein
What is apocrine secretion?
lipid droplets are secreted surrounded by membrane
What is merocrine secretion?
via vesicles which merge with apical membrane to release contents into ducts
What changes happen to the breast following menopause?
secretory cells of TDLUs degenerate leaving only ducts; fewer fibroblasts and reduced collagen and elastic fibres
