Reproductive System Flashcards
Location of the breast
2nd-3rd rib to the 6th-7th rib; from the sternal margin to the midaxillary line
Male breast anatomy
consists of a small nipple and areola overlying a thin layer of breast tissue
Anatomy of the breast
Composed of glandular, firbrous tissue and subcu and retromammary fat.
Glandular tissue contains 15-20 lobes per breast that radiate to the nipple
Each lobe has 20-40 lobules
Acini Cells
Each lobule consists of milk-producing cells that empty into lactiferous ducts
Small and inonspicuous in nonpregnant/nonlactating women
Cooper ligament (suspensory ligament) and muscles supporting the breast
Extends through the breast, attaching to the underlying fascia, providing further support
Pectoralis major, minor, serratus anterior, latissimus dorsi, subscapularis, external oblique and rectus abdominis
Arteries of the breast tissue
Internal mammary artery, and lateral thoracic artery
Proportions of glandular tissue vary with
age, nutrition, pregnancy, lactation and genetics
Four quadrants of the breast
Upper inner Lower innner Lower outer Upper outer - largest amount of tissue Tail of Spence - tissue extending into axilla
Nipple is composed of smooth muscle innervated by
tactile, sensory and autonomic stimuli
causes erection of nipple and lactiferous ducts to empty
Montgomery Tubercles
Sebaceous glands found on the areolar surface
Hair follicles found here too
Supernumerary nipples or breast tissue
Sometimes present along the mammary ridges that extends from the axilla to the groin
Lymphatics network of breasts
Superficial lymphatics drain the skin
Deep drain the mammary lobules
Axillary lymph nodes
easier to palpate when enlarged
anterior axillary (pectoral) nodes are located along the lower border of pec major
Midaxillary (central) high in axila close to ribs
Posterior axillary (subscapular) - lateral scapula, deep axillary psosterior fold
Lateral axillary (brachial) felt along upper humerus
Thelarche
Breast development
First sign of puberty
Occurs earlier in blacks
Onset of menses
Stage 3 = 25%
Stage 4 = 75%
Stage 5 = 10%
Appearance of breast bud (stage 2) to menarche is 2 years
Changes in pregnanct women
Luteal and placental hormones cause lactiferous ducts to proliferate and the alveoli to increase in size in number
Breasts enlarge 2-3x
Softer and looser
Colostrum is produced and accumulates in alveoli towards end of pregnancy
Areolar changes and vascularization in pregnant
Deeply pigmented and diameter increases
Nipples are prominent, darker and more erectile
Montgomery tubercles develop as sebaceous glands hypertrophy
Veins engorge and are visible on surface of skin
Lactating women
Colostrum secretes from breasts after delivery
Contains more protein and minerals then mature milk, antibodies and resistance factors
Surging prolactin levels 2-4 days after pregnancy
Milk production replaces colostrum in response to prolactin, estrogen, and stimulation of sucking
Breasts become full and tense as alveoli and lactiferous ducts fill
Tissue edema, delay in ejection reflex, produce engorgement
Termination of lactation
involution occurs over a period of 3 months
Breast size decreases without loss of lobular and alveolar components
Breasts rarely return to prelactation size
Older Adults
Menopause causes atrophy of grandular tissue and is replaced by fat
Inframmamary ridge at lower edge of breast thickens
Relaxation of suspensory ligaments lowers breasts
Nipples become small and flat and lose erectile ability
Skin becomes dry and thin, loss of axillary hair
Nonmodifiable risk factors for breast cancer
Age, gender, genetic factors (BRCA1 and BRCA2)
Personal Hx of breast cancer
FH
Previous breast biopsies
Race - white
Previous breast radiation (Hodgkin lymph)
Menarche before 12 and menopause after 55
Breast Density - more dense or fatty
Diethylstilbestrol therapy
Modifiable risk factors for breast cancer
Childbirth - nulliparity/late age of first child birth Hormone therapy - HRT after menopause Alcohol Obesity/high-fat diet Lack of PA
Breast inspection
compare size, symmetry, contour, skin color, texture, venous pattern and lesions
Check skin under each breast
Convex, pendulous, or conical
One breast is smaller then other
Male breasts are even c chest wall, obese men have a convex shape
Skin texture on inspection of breasts
Smooth, contour should be uninterrrupted
Retractions or dimpling may indicate fibrotic tissue associated c carcinoma
A peau d’orange (orange skin)
indicates edema caused by blocked lymph drainage in advanced inflammatory breast cancer. Thick skin c enlarged pores
healthy skin may look similar if pores are large
Venous network inpection of breasts
May be visible
Pronounced in pregnant or obese women
Patterns should symmetric
Unilateral patterns produced by dilated superficial veins as a result of increased BF to a malignancy
inspection of nevi on breasts
Markings and nevi that are long-standing, unchanging or nontender are of little concern
Changes in appearance of lesions always signal need for closer investigation
Inspection of nipples and areolae
Areola should be round or oval and bilaterally symmetrical
Color ranges from pink to black
Light-skinned women areola turns brown with the first pregnancy and remains dark
Dark-skinned - areola is brown before pregnancy
Nontender, nonsuppurative Montogomery tubercles is a common finding
Surface should be otherwise smooth
Peau d’orange seen on areola first usually
Contour of nipples
Most are everted
If inverted, ask if always like that
Recent inversion may signify malignancy
Retraction is seen as flattening or pulling back of the nipple or areola, which indicates inward pulling by inflammatory or malignant tissue
Firbrotic tissue of carcinoma can also change nipple axis, causing it to point in a different direction from other nipple
Color of nipples
Should be homogenous and match c areolae
Smooth or wrinkled is OK, but free of crusting, cracking or discharge
Color varies from light pink to very dark brown or black
Inflammation of the sebaceous glands in areola can result in retention cysts that are tender and suppurative
Supernumerary nipples
More common in black women
Occur mostly on embryonic mammary ridge
They are pink or brown and mistaken for moles
Can indicate congenital renal or cardiac abnormalities
Varied positions to inspect breasts
Seated c arms over head or flexed behind the neck
Tenses suspensory ligaments, accentuates dimples may reveal variations in contour and symmetry
Seated c hands pressed against hips c shoulder rolled forward
Contracts pectoral muscles
reveal deviations for contour and symmetry
Seated and leaning forward from the waist
Tension of suspensory ligaments
Breasts should hang equally
Helpful c contour and symmetry of large breasts
Breasts should appear bilaterally symmetrical with an even contour and absence of dimpling, retraction or deviation
Chest wall sweep
Sit c arms at sides
Sweep downward from clavicle to nipple
feel for lumps
Bimanual Digital Palpation
Place palmar surface facing up under the patient’s right breast
Place finger of other hand over breast and walk over tissue feeling for lumps as you compress tissue between your fingers and your flat hand
Virchow Nodes
Supraclavicular and Infraclavicular
Turning pt head to side being palpated and raise the same shoulder
Bend pt head forward
Sentinal nodes are indicators for invasion of the lymphatics by cancer
Three depths of palpation
Light, medium and deep
Vertical strip - palpate down then up
Circular - start at the outermost edge of breast tissue and work inward
Wedge - palpate center and work out and repeat
Avoid lifting your fingers
Breast mass characteristics
Location, size, shape, consistency, tenderness, mobility, borders, retraction, dimpling
Nipple compression
Palpate nipple well (behind nipple)
Only should be done if pt reports discharge
Is discharge bilateral or unilateral
Single duct or multi duct?
Concern = unilateral and from a single duct
Expected findings during a breast examination - FEMALE
Breast tissue will feel dense, firm and elastic
Soft nondiscrete bumps diffusely dispersed throughout breast tissue
Fine, granular feel in older women
Inframammary ridge felt along lower edge of breast, which can be mistaken for a breast mass
Common response to hormonal changes during menstrual cycle
Cyclical pattern of breast enlargement, increased nodularity and tenderness
Most likely premenstrually and during menses
Least noticeable after menses
Expected findings during a breast examination - MALE
Thin layer of fatty tissue overlying muscle
Obese men have thicker fatty layer - giving appearance of enlargement
A firm disk of glandular tissue can be felt
Breasts of infants
enlarged from passively transferred maternal estrogen
“Witch’s milk” squeezed out of breast bud
Enlargement rarely larger then 1 to 1.5 cm in diameter
Disappears in 2 weeks and rarely lasts beyond 3 month
Breasts - Children and Adolescents
Asymmetry
Breast tissue is homogeneous, dense, firm, and elastic
Subareolar masses transient and common unilaterally or bilaterally in males
Firm, tender, are concerning to patients
Gynecomastia caused by illicit drugs. Biopsy may be required, usually temporary and benign
Examination in patients with mastectomy
Pay attention to scar, reoccurence of malignancy is typical at scar site
Inspect for swelling, lumps, thickening, redness, color change, rash or irritation
Note muscle loss or lymphedema
Palpate surgical scar for swelling, lumps, thickening, or tenderness
Palpate lymph nodes axillary and clavicular
Perform normal breast exam even in those c a lumpectomy , augmentation, or reconstruction
Breast changes in pregnant
Enlargement during first trimester
Sensation of fullnss c tingling, tenderness and bilateral increase in size
Assess if pt is using adequate support
Nipples during pregnancy
Enlarge and more erectile Flattened or inverted Crust from dry colostrum can be evident Expect to see areolae that are broad and dark Montgomery tubercles are common
Palpation of pregnant breasts
Reveals generalized coarse nodularity and lobular feel d/t hypertrophy of the mammary alveoli
Dilated subcu veins may create network of blue tracings across breasts
Telangiecstasias (spider angiomas)
Second trimester May develop on upper chest, arms, neck and face D/t elevated estrogen Bluish and do not blanch Striae may be evident
Inspection of breasts during lactation
Assess if there is an adequately fitting bra
Palpate for degree of softness
Full breasts that are firm, dense and slightly enlarged may become engorged
Engorged breasts are hard, warm and are enlarged, shiny and painful
Occur 24-48 hours
May also be a sign of mastitis