topic 8: female breast

Question 1

surface anatomy

Answer 1

-paired structure in ant thoracic wall in pectoral region
-present in both genders but more prominent in female after puberty
-extends hor from lat. border of sternum to mid. axillary line
-verticaly from 2-6th costal cartilage
-lies superfical to pectoralis major
-2regions: ciruclar body - largest & most prominent and axillary tail - runs along inf lat border edge of pectoralis major to axillary fossa
-@center is nipple-made of smooth muscle, surrounded by areola- pigmented area with numerous sebaceous glands

Question 2

anatomical structure

Answer 2

-made of mammary glands surrounded by CT stroma: these are modified sweat glands made of ducs + secretory lobules. 1 lobule has many alveoli brained by a single lactiferous duct. All of the ducts coverge @ nipple like spikes of wheel

-CT stroma: is the supporting structure aroun m.g. It has fibrous + fatty component. They fibrous component condenses to form suspensory ligaments of Cooper with 2 functions : i.attach & secure breast to dermis & underlying pectoralis fascia ii.separates the secretory lobules

-Pectoralis fascia : Base of breast lies here-falt sheet of Ct associated with pectoralis maj. Acts as attachment point 4 suspensory lig. B/w breast and p.f is a layer of loose CT known as retromammary space

Question 3

Blood supply

Answer 3

-Med aspect: supplied via internal thoraci artery (branch of subclavian)
-Lat aspect has 4 :
1.lateral thoracic & 2.thoracoacromial branches (from axillary a)
3.lateral mammary branch (from post intercostal)
4.mammary branch (from ant intercostal)

Question 4

lymph drainage

Answer 4

-3 groups receive lymph from breast tissue: 1.axillary nodes- 75%
2.Parasternal nodes- 20%
3.Post intercostal node - 5%

The skin of the breast also receives lymphatic drainage:

Skin – drains to the axillary, inferior deep cervical and infraclavicular nodes.

Nipple and areola – drains to the subareolar lymphatic plexus.