The Breast Flashcards
Identify the nipple, nipple ducts, areola and Montgomery tubercles on surface of breast.
(Look at picture on images)
Each breast has portions of fat and glandular tissue separated to lobes by connective tissue.
Lobes: around 4-18 in each breast dependant on woman
Lobules: subdivision of each lobe consisting of alveoli and lactiferous ducts 10-100 alveoli.
Alveoli: contain acini cells responsible for synthesising milk, once made goes into lumen (storage) surrounded by myoepithelial cells that contract to release milk into lactiferous duct( (contains IgA providing antibodies to baby)
Duct network: the closer to the nipple the larger the diameter of duct as it’s dilated to allow more milk to be gathered, easily compressed by bay.
Cooper ligaments: attached to chest and skin of breast to keep breast in place.
Montgomery tubercle: release sebum to (oil) to lubricate breast after baby suckling for it to not be dry.
Breast development during puberty
Progesterone and oestrogen cause breast to develop 8-13 years old, nipple size increases and areola becomes pigmented.
Cyclical changes occur during menstrual cycle
Changes in pregnancy
Glandular development due to progesterone
Ducts development due to oestrogen
3/4 weeks: tingling increased blood supply
6/8 weeks: bluish surface veins visible, increase size
8/12 weeks: Montgomery tubercles prominent on areola areola darkens
16 week: colostrum expressed
Late preg: progesterone cause nipple to become prominent, colostrum may leak.
How is milk made
Process of lactogenesis synthesised by acini cells under influence of prolactin (from glucose and amino acids in blood stream)secreted from acini cells under influence into lumen of alveoli.
What is the purpose of Prolactin
Released from anterior pituitary glands, when baby suckles and placenta is birthed (placental hormones oestrogen and progesterone prevent prolactin) nerve impulse in brain receives message stimulating anterior pituitary glands to release prolactin causing acini to synthesis milk. This milk being made is for next feed and happens to both breast.
Produces calmness in mum (reward)
Stimulate maternal behaviour
Triggered by skin to skin,
What is the purpose of oxytocin
Works on myoepithelial cells to expel milk, pulsation action released from posterior pituitary (so baby has time to swallow) induces feeling of love in both mum and baby, more oxytocin released when baby near. Temporarily inhibited by stress so less milk released.
What is the purpose of FIL (Feedback Inhibitor of Lactation)
Build up of FIL blocks milk
Removing FIL allows milk
FIL is a constituent of milk in the breast if milk isn’t leaving the breast the presence of FIL blocks further milk production and vice versa.
It’s local to one breast and a auto rinse control
Good as if milk dries up in breast this can cause inflammation in breast.
