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Questions and Answers
Which of the following is a characteristic of malignant breast tumors?
Which of the following is a characteristic of malignant breast tumors?
What is the primary pathway for the spread of carcinoma in breast cancer?
What is the primary pathway for the spread of carcinoma in breast cancer?
Which of the following statements is true regarding polymastia?
Which of the following statements is true regarding polymastia?
What percentage of lymphatic drainage from the breast goes to the axillary nodes?
What percentage of lymphatic drainage from the breast goes to the axillary nodes?
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Which surgical procedure is commonly used to treat malignant breast tumors?
Which surgical procedure is commonly used to treat malignant breast tumors?
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What anatomical structure separates the skin from the breast parenchyma?
What anatomical structure separates the skin from the breast parenchyma?
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What part of the breast is primarily responsible for the secretion of milk?
What part of the breast is primarily responsible for the secretion of milk?
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During which stage of life does the breast primarily develop in females?
During which stage of life does the breast primarily develop in females?
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Which structure of the breast is primarily involved in the mechanical expulsion of milk during lactation?
Which structure of the breast is primarily involved in the mechanical expulsion of milk during lactation?
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What is the term for the modification of the sweat glands that occurs in the breast?
What is the term for the modification of the sweat glands that occurs in the breast?
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What is the significance of the suspensory ligament of Cooper in breast anatomy?
What is the significance of the suspensory ligament of Cooper in breast anatomy?
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Which feature of the nipple helps it to perform its function during nursing?
Which feature of the nipple helps it to perform its function during nursing?
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What happens to the glandular tissue of the breast during pregnancy?
What happens to the glandular tissue of the breast during pregnancy?
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Study Notes
Introduction
- The breast is a modified sweat gland present in both sexes.
- It develops in females after puberty and secretes milk.
- It is an accessory organ of the female reproductive system.
Clinical Anatomy
- Location: The breast is situated on the superficial fascia of the pectoral region and a small portion (axillary tail) pierces the deep fascia to lie in the axilla.
- Shape: in young adult females, the breast is spherical but later becomes pendulous.
- Extent: Vertically, it extends from the 2nd to 6th rib, horizontally at the level of the 4th costal cartilage from the lateral sternal border to midaxillary line. The superior portion laterally prolongs into the deep fascia as the foramen of Langer, lying at the level of the 3rd rib and later known as the axillary tail of Spence. (This area where the breast extends laterally into the axilla).
- Component Parts include Skin, Parenchyma, and Stroma.
Breast Structure
- Skin: The breast is enclosed by skin. This section includes the nipple as a conical projection located at the 4th intercostal space; containing 15-20 lactiferous ducts.
- Parenchyma: The glandular tissue of the breast that produces milk. It consists of 15-20 lobes, each with a cluster of alveoli and drained by lactiferous ducts. These ducts dilate into lactiferous sinus beneath the areola. These lactiferous ducts converge towards the nipple radiating like spokes.
- Stroma: The supporting framework of the breast; made up of fibrous stroma which divides into septa, known as Cooper's ligaments. Connects the skin to pectoral fascia. The fatty stroma forms the bulk of the breast.
Deep Relation
- The breast is related to the retromammary space of loose areolar tissue.
- Further associated with deep pectoral fascia, pectoral major, serratus anterior and the external oblique abdominis.
Areola
- The areola is a pigmented area at the base of the nipple, rich in modified sebaceous glands (Montgomery tubercles).
- During pregnancy and lactation, the areola becomes enlarged, forming tubercles with oil-secreting Montgomery glands that lubricate the nipple and areola. It's mostly fat-free.
Lymphatic Drainage of the Breast
- The lymphatic drainage is crucial in disease spread.
- The system divides into superficial and deep components that communicate freely.
- Superficial nodes drain the skin of the breast, excluding the areola and nipples.
- Deeper nodes drain the breast parenchyma, nipple, and areola.
- Drainage follows patterns including lateral upper and lower quadrants to axillary and infraclavicular nodes.
- Medial parts drain via intercostal spaces to parasternal nodes with possible communication through supraclavicular nodes.
Blood Supply
- The blood supply of the breast includes the internal thoracic perforating vessels extending to 2nd-6th intercostal spaces.
- Other critical arteries are the lateral thoracic, superior thoracic, and acromio-thoracic branches.
Clinical Anatomy (Tumours)
- Breast is a common site for tumours, benign or malignant.
- Cancerous cells in ligaments cause breast fixation, skin retraction, and puckering.
- Malignant breast tumours, known as breast cancer, may affect one or both sides.
- Surgical procedures like a radical mastectomy might be required.
- Common characteristics of breast cancer (malignant) include skin dimpling/puckering and an orange peel appearance.
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Description
This quiz explores the anatomy and clinical aspects of the breast, including its structure, location, and development. It covers details about the breast as a modified sweat gland, its positioning on the pectoral region, and its significance in the female reproductive system.
