Handout Flashcards
External anatomy of breast
Skin
Nipple
Areola
Skin is composed of [..]
Sudoriferous glands
Subcutaneous glands
Hair follicles
Innervation of skin
Lateral cutaneous branches of 2nd to 6th ribs
Arterial supply of the skin [medial breast surface]
Arises from anterior intercostal artery branches
Artery supply [lateral breast surface]
Lateral thoracic artery and posterior intercostal artery
Venous drainage [medial breast surface]
Intercostal artery branches
Venous drainage [lateral breast surface]
Lateral thoracic artery branches
Posterior intercostal artery branches
Lymphatic drainage (3) types
Breast tissue drainage
Periareolar lymphatic drainage
Cutaneous anatomical lymph channels
Lymphatic drainage [breast tissue drainage]
Dermal lymphatics and periareolar lymphatic
Lymphatic drainage [Periareolar lymphatic drainage]
Axillary and internal mammary lymphatics
Lymphatic drainage [Cutaneous anatomical lymph channels]
Potential pathways for the spread of contralateral breast cancer
Appears as a thin, continuous, radiopaque rim homogenous in density, approx 1 mm thin
Cutaneous anatomical lymph channels
Nipple [location]
Project at the level of 4th intercostal space in the non-pendulous breast
Conical shape with an average height of 10-12 mm
Nipple
Orifices of nipple
8-12 major duct orifices at the bases of crevices
Present to facilitate nipple function during nursing
Expedite nipple erection
Subdermal smooth muscle
Can be up to 3-5 mm thick, central opacity, roughly cylindrical in shape and of variable size and density
Areola
Contains smooth muscle in contiguity with nipple smooth muscle
Areolar dermis
Areola [lymphatic drainage]
From subareolar (Sappey) plexus to axillary and internal mammary lymph nodes
Highly pigmented; covered by stratified squamous epithelium
Increases pigmentation and size during puberty and further, during pregnacy
Nipple-Areolar Complex
Functional unit of the breast, composed of acini
Terminal ducal lobular unit (TDLU)
Three layers of acini and ducts
Basement Membrane
Myoepithelial Layer
Epithelial Lining
[acini & duct layer] acts as a barrier to the spread of cancer; if breached carcinoma is termed as invasive
Basement membrane
[acini & duct layer] help in forming basement membrane
Myoepithelial membrane