Breast tissue/anatomy

Question 1

where do breasts sit?

Answer 1

2-6th ribs vertically
lateral border of sternum to mid-axillary line horizontal

Question 2

3 components of breast

Answer 2

fat, fibrous tissue, glandular tissue

Question 3

fat function

Answer 3

space filler, shapes breast

Question 4

fibrous tissue

Answer 4

houses suspensory ligaments of Cooper

Question 5

suspensory ligaments

Answer 5

structure and support to glandular lobules in breast
Will cause pucker/dimpling if tumors

Question 6

axillary process

Answer 6

mammary gland forms axillary tail of breast
allow drainage of lymph fluid from breast into axillary lymph node

Question 7

retromammary space

Answer 7

space between breast tissue and pectoral fascia, allows movement and mobility in chest wall
Wear breast implants go

Question 8

lobes and ducts of breast

Answer 8

15-20 lobes (arrange radial nipple) in each breast made up of several lobules
lobules are functional units of breast and contain alveoli
each lobe has lactiferous duct that drains secretions, converging towards nipple
lactiferous sinuses are near the nipple where each duct widens, serves as milk resevoir

Question 9

carcinoma of breast

Answer 9

lots of different presentation
typically glandular cancer
cause lymphedema, deviation of nipple, leather like appearanse
dimpling/peau d’orange sign may involve suspensory ligaments

Question 10

stages of lymphedema

Answer 10

blockage (damage to lymph node and vessels impair drainage)
fluid buildup (excess fluid accumulate)
chronic swelling (area develop persistent, painful swelling)

Question 11

surgical complications with mastectomy

Answer 11

in mastectomy, all arteries that feed into the breast are cut to prevent spread of cancer
near blood supplies are nerves, with long thoracic nerve being most commonly damaged
if damaged, will see winged scapula (medial border prominent protrude)