Lymphatics and histology of breast Flashcards
What are the two types of epithelial cells in the normal breast?
Luminal cells and Myoepithelial cells.
What is the function of luminal cells in the Terminal Duct Lobular Units (TDLU)?
Luminal cells in the TDLU produce milk and are the precursor cells for most malignant cancers.
Describe the two types of stroma found in the breast.
The two types of stroma are:
Intralobular connective tissue: Loose, more vascular, and cellular (contains fibroblasts and plasma cells).
Interlobular connective tissue: Dense, more collagen, and less cellular.
What role does oxytocin play in breast function?
Oxytocin, secreted by the posterior pituitary, acts on myoepithelial cells to aid in milk ejection during lactation.
How does breast tissue change with age and how does this affect mammography?
With age, fibrous stroma is replaced by adipose tissue, making the breast more radiolucent (black) on mammography, which increases the sensitivity of detecting calcifications and small masses.
What is the significance of the “Peau d’orange” appearance in breast tissue?
It indicates blockage of lymphatics draining the skin, leading to edema, retraction of ligaments of Cooper, and pitting, often associated with breast cancer.
What changes occur in the breast during the lactational stage?
The breast has more glandular tissue, less connective tissue, and an increase in epithelial and myoepithelial cells forming secretory alveoli, with large clear areas of apical cytoplasm full of glycogen and lipid.
What is the most common type of breast carcinoma?
Invasive ductal carcinoma.
