Breast Histology Flashcards
What is contained within the secretory breast tissue?
15-25 lobes each consisting of a compound tubulo-acinar gland draining via a series of ducts to the nipple
What are the suspensory ligaments of the breast?
Fibrous connective tissue that extends from the dermis of the skin to the deep fascia overlying the anterior chest wall
What is the basic functional secretory unit of the breast?
Terminal duct lobular unit
Outline the duct system of the breast
Terminal ductules lead into an intralobular collecting duct leading into the lactiferous duct that leads to the nipple
What does the lactiferous duct pass through on its way to the nipple?
Lactiferous sinus
What epithelium covers the nipple?
Keratinised stratified squamous epithelium
What is the epithelium change in the lactiferous duct the deeper into the nipple?
Changes from stratified squamous epithelium into stratified cuboidal
Give some changes in the histology of the breast in the luteal phase
Epithelial cells increase in height
Lumina of ducts become enlarged
What mammary gland changes occur in the first trimester?
Elongation and branching of smaller ducts
Proliferation of epithelial cells of glands and myoepithelial cells
What mammary gland changes occur in the second trimester?
Differentiation of secretory alveoli
Plasma cells infiltrate nearby connective tissue
What mammary gland changes occur in the third trimester?
Secretory alveoli maturation
Which hormones stimulate the proliferation of secretory tissue?
Oestrogen
Progesterone
How are lipid droplets in breast milk secreted?
Apocrine (surrounded by membrane containing cytoplasm)
How are proteins in breast milk secreted?
Merocrine (vesicles merge with apical membrane to release contents into duct system)
When do the secretory cells of the terminal duct lobular unit degenerate?
Post-menopause
