Breast Anatomy and Function

Breast Anatomy and Function

• Breasts are composed of glandular tissue (lobes and ducts), fibrous tissue (support), and fatty tissue (sizes breasts).
• Fibroglandular tissue is all the non-fatty tissue.
• Ligaments stretch from the skin to the chest wall, supporting breast tissue.
• Pectoral muscle supports the breasts.
• Blood vessels supply oxygen and remove waste.
• Estrogen, progesterone, and prolactin are key hormones that regulate breast development and function.
• Estrogen expands milk ducts and branches, while Prolactin promotes milk production.
• Progesterone increases the number and size of lobules.
• Oxytocin helps release milk.

Breast Lobes and Ducts

• Breasts have 15-20 lobes containing smaller lobules.
• Lobules produce milk and are clustered like grapes.
• Ducts carry milk to the nipple, located in the areola (darker area).
• Breast cancer can originate in ducts or lobes.

Lymph Nodes

• Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped organs throughout the body.
• Lymph nodes combat infections.
• Lymphocytes (immune cells) fight infection and diseases like cancer.
• Lymph vessels carry lymph fluid from breasts to lymph nodes near the armpit, collarbone, neck, and chest.

Dense Breasts

• Dense breasts are common, especially in younger women and women with smaller breasts.
• Dense breasts consist primarily of fibrous or glandular tissue, appearing white on mammograms.
• Cancer cells also appear white, making early detection harder.
• Women with dense breasts may require additional imaging (ultrasound, MRI) for clearer visualisations.

Mammography Considerations

• Mammography is crucial for early breast cancer detection.
• Breast cancer is a common malignancy among women.
• Early detection significantly boosts treatment success rates.
• Some women experience higher radiation risk from mammography than others.