Mammary Gland Flashcards
What is the axillary tail of the mammary gland?
A tail of fat that extends back into the axilla.
To which specific group of superficial lymph nodes does the majority of lymph from the breast drain?
Axillary
What is an important clinical fact dealing with other aspects of the lymphatic drainage?
That 10% of the lymph from one breast drains to the opposite breast.
In which quadrant do tumors most frequently occur?
The superolateral (uppermost and lateral).
Why do breasts enlarge during the latter stages of pregnancy?
The glandular material (lactiferous glands) proliferates and enlarges as they prepare to produce milk.
Which component of the lactiferous apparatus terminates on the nipple?
Lactiferous duct.
Why is the nipple able to become erect?
It contains circularly-arranged smooth muscle fibers.
What is the pigmented area surrounding it called?
The areola.
Between which two fascial planes is the retromammary space located? What is the significance of this space?
Between the posterior mammary fascia and the deep fascia of the pectoralis major. It allows free movement of the breast over the deep fascia of the pectoralis major.
If breast mobility is reduced what does this indicate?
That the integrity of the fasciae has been compromised - most often by a growth from the breast back into the muscle (ie. tumor).
What is this space used for in cosmetic surgery?
Breast augmentations (silicone/saline) implants are placed in this plane and sutured to the deep fascia of the pectoralis major.
What is the function of the suspensory ligaments? What is the implication of this in advanced tumorigenesis of the breast?
They “support” the breast preventing it from premature sagging. Tumor growth pushes the breast out and the suspensory ligaments become taut giving the skin of the breast an orange peel (dimpled) appearance.
