Lecture 3 - Mammary Gland and Thoracic Wall (GA) Flashcards
Definition of the thorax?
Area between neck and abdomen
What are the mammary glands part of?
Superficial fascia
What do breasts primarily consist of?
Fat
Where is the breast located?
- Deep to dermis
- Superficial to deep fascia superficial to the pectoralis major and serratus anterior
- Inferior to clavicular edge
- Superior to rectus sheath
- Lateral to the edge of the latissisimus dorsi
- Medial to the sternum
What gives shape to the breasts? Describe their location
The suspensory ligaments of Cooper
Extend perpendicularly from the deep fascia superficial to the pectoralis major to the skin
Does the amount of milk produced by breasts vary with their size? Why/Why not?
NOPE because the amount of glandular tissue does not vary with size
Describe the pathway of milk in the breast.
Breast lobules produce milk => lactiferous ducts => lactiferous sinus => 12-15 ductal openings into the nipple
Are lactiferous ducts found in all women?
NOPE, they disappear after menopause because they depend on hormones
Do both male and females have an axillary breast tail?
YUP
What does the external surface of the breasts consist of?
- Pigmented nipple
2. Areolar tissue with glands
Role of areolar glands?
Sebaceous glands that enlarge during pregnancy to help lubricate the skin for breast feeding
When do the nipple and areola become more pigmented? How come? In which population is this exacerbated?
During the last trimester of the 1st pregnancy
Due to increased amount of melanin
In African Americans
Where is the ONLY muscle of the mammary gland located? What kind? When does it contract?
The areola - smooth muscle
Contracts upon stimulation
What are the 5 arteries providing blood supply to the breasts?
- Internal thoracic artery branches (to intercostals)
- Lateral thoracic artery branches
- Thoracodorsal artery
- Intercostal artery (perforators)
- Thoracoacromial artery
What is another name for the internal thoracic artery in females?
Internal mammary artery
Is the breast affected by coronary bypass surgery in females in which the internal thoracic artery is harvested? Why/Why not?
NOPE, because of the extensive and redundant blood supply of the breast
What are the 2 tissue types of the breast?
- Glandular tissue
2. Supportive tissue
What are the 3 types of supportive tissue of the breast?
- Suspensory ligaments
- Fat
- Connective tissue
Describe the venous drainage of breasts.
Follows the same tracts as the arteries
What are the 4 types of lymph nodes that drain the breast? Which one is responsible for the majority of the lymphatic drainage?
- Axillary lymph nodes*** (75% of drainage)
- Supraclavicular lymph nodes
- Internal mammary lymph nodes
- Abdominal lymph nodes (25% of drainage)
What is another name for internal mammary lymph nodes?
Parasternal lymph nodes
Which breast lymph nodes are at greater risk for cancer metastases?
Supraclavicular lymph nodes
How can breast cancer move from one breast to the other?
Via internal mammary lymph nodes through the pectoral major fascia
What artery does the lateral thoracic artery branch from?
Axillary artery