Breast Histology and Anatomy Flashcards
How would you generally describe the breast?
Subcutaneous gland
What is the secretory tissue of the breast made up of?
15-20 lobes
What does a lobe in the breast consist of?
Tubuloacinar gland which drains via series of ducts leading to nipple
What supports the breast tissue?
Suspensory ligaments which extend form dermis of skin to deep fascia overlying the muscle of anterior chest wall
Where would you find suspensory ligaments in the breast?
Amongst the fibrous tissue in breast
What does TDLU stand for?
Terminal duct lobular unit
What is a TDLU?
Basic functional secretory unit of the breast
What does TDLU lead to in the non-lactating breast?
Intralobular collecting duct which leads to lactiferous duct for that lobe
What duct leads to the nipple and what does it pass through to get there?
Lactiferous ducts lead to the nipple
-Pass through lactiferous sinus
What is lactiferous sinus?
Expanded duct region near nipple
What cells line acini within the lobule?
Secretory epithelial cells (vary from cuboidal to columnar)
What surrounds secretory cells of acinus?
Myoepithelial cells
What are myoepithelial cells?
Epithelial cells with contractile properties
-Thought to help push milk out of the ducts
Example of larger ducts in breast?
Lactiferous ducts
What are lactiferous ducts lined by?
Epithelium that varies form stratified squamous to stratified cuboidal
-Myoepithelial cells also can be present