Histology 2 - Histology of the Breast

Question 1

What type of structure is the breast?

Answer 1

A gland

Question 2

What layer of the body is the breast located in?

Answer 2

Subcutaneous - sits anterior to the fascia on the anterior wall of the chest

Question 3

How many lobes makes up the secretory tissue of the breast?

Answer 3

15-25

Question 4

Describe the basic structure of a breast lobe?

Answer 4

Compound tubulo-acinar gland which drains into a series of ducts leading to the nipple

Question 5

What is found adjacent to secretory lobules in the breast?

What is this surrounded in?

Answer 5

Dense fibrous tissue

Adipose tissue

Question 6

What is the name for the pigmented area around the nipple?

Answer 6

Areola

Question 7

What are lobes of the breast made up of?

Answer 7

Lobules

Question 8

What is the name for the space between the breast and pectoralis major?

Answer 8

Retromammary space

Question 9

What is the name for the larger condensations that extend from the dermis of the skin to the deep fascia overlying the muscle of the anterior chest wall in the non-lactating breast?

Answer 9

Suspensory ligaments

Question 10

What is the purpose of suspensory ligaments?

Answer 10

To support the breast

Question 11

What is the name of the basic functional secretory unit of the breast?

Answer 11

Terminal duct lobular unit (TDLU)

Question 12

What is another name for terminal ductules?

Answer 12

Acini

Question 13

In a non-lactating breast, what do terminal ductules lead into?

Answer 13

An intralobular duct

Question 14

What do intralobular collecting ducts lead into?

Answer 14

Lactiferous duct (for that lobe)

Question 15

What do the lactiferous ducts lead to?

Answer 15

The nipple

Question 16

What is the name for the expanded duct region near the nipple?

Answer 16

Lactiferous sinus

Question 17

What surrounds the acini within the lobule?

What does this allow?

Answer 17

Looser connective tissue

Rapid expansion in pregnancy

Question 18

What type of cells are the secretory epithelial cells lining the acini within the lobule?

Answer 18

Vary from cuboidal to columnar

Question 19

What surrounds the secretory cells of the acinus?

Answer 19

Myoepithelial cells (MEp)

Question 20

What are the myoepithelial cells surrounded by?

Answer 20

The basal lamina

Question 21

What are the purpose of the myoepithelial cells?

Answer 21

Helps to push the milk out

Question 22

What type of epithelium lines larger ducts, such as a lactiferous duct?

Answer 22

Varies from a thin stratified squamous epithelium to a stratified cuboidal epithelium (becomes squamous as you get closer to the nipple)

Question 23

Are myoepithelial cells present in larger duct, such as a lactiferous duct?

Answer 23

Yes

Question 24

What do many people believe the origin of mammary glands is?

Answer 24

Modified sweat glands

Question 25

Does the nipple have a smooth or wrinkled surface?

Answer 25

Wrinkled

Question 26

What type of epithelium covers the nipple?

Answer 26

A thin, highly pigment keratinised stratified squamous epithelium

Question 27

Describe the core of the nipple.

Answer 27

Dense irregular connective tissue mixed with bundles of smooth muscle

Question 28

What type of glands are present in the nipple? | Where do these end?

Answer 28

Sebaceous glands | On the surface of the skin

Question 29

What happens to the breast during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle`?

Answer 29

Epithelial cells increase in height Lumina of the ducts become enlarged Small amounts of secretions appear in the ducts

Question 30

What happens to the breast during the first trimester of pregnancy?

Answer 30

Elongation and branching of the smaller ducts, combined with proliferation of the epithelial cells of the glands and the myoepithelial ccells

Question 31

What happens to the breast during the second trimester of pregnancy?

Answer 31

Glandular tissue continues to develop with differentiation of secretory alveoli Plasma cells and lymphocytes infiltrate the nearby connective tissue

Question 32

What happens to the breast during the third trimester of pregnancy?

Answer 32

Alveoli continue to mature, with development of extensive rER

Question 33

What does oestrogen and progesterone stimulate to happen during pregnancy?

Answer 33

Proliferation of secretory tissue | Fibro-fatty tissue to become sparse

Question 34

What is the approximate composition of human milk?

Answer 34

88% water 1.5% protein (mainly lactalbumin and casein) 7% carbohydrate (mainly lactose) 3.5% lipid Small quantities of ions, vitamins and IgA antibodies

Question 35

Describe the method by which lipid droplets are secreted into breast milk?

Answer 35

Apocrine secretion

Question 36

Where are the proteins in milk made?

Answer 36

The rough endoplasmic reticulum

Question 37

Name the method by which protein is secreted into breast milk?

Answer 37

Merocrine secretion (aka exocytosis)

Question 38

What happens to the terminal duct lobular unit following menopause?

Answer 38

The secretory cells of the TDLU's degenerate leaving only ducts

Question 39

What happens to the connective tissue of the breast following menopause?

Answer 39

Fewer fibroblasts and reduced collagen and elastic fibres