Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of the luminal cell layer in the breast?
What is the primary function of the luminal cell layer in the breast?
- Regulating hormonal changes during lactation
- Producing milk in the lobules and protecting the ducts (correct)
- Facilitating milk ejection towards the nipple
- Providing structural support to the ducts
Which hormone is primarily responsible for breast development after menarche?
Which hormone is primarily responsible for breast development after menarche?
- Prolactin
- Testosterone
- Oxytocin
- Estrogen (correct)
What is a common cause of galactorrhea?
What is a common cause of galactorrhea?
- Decreased progesterone levels
- Breast atrophy post-menopause
- Nipple stimulation (correct)
- Presence of supernumerary nipples
What happens to breast tissue after menopause?
What happens to breast tissue after menopause?
Which of the following statements regarding breast tissue characteristics before puberty is accurate?
Which of the following statements regarding breast tissue characteristics before puberty is accurate?
Flashcards
What is the terminal duct lobular unit?
What is the terminal duct lobular unit?
The functional unit of the breast, responsible for milk production.
What is the luminal cell layer?
What is the luminal cell layer?
The inner layer of cells lining ducts and lobules in the breast, responsible for milk production in lobules and protection in ducts.
What is the myoepithelial cell layer?
What is the myoepithelial cell layer?
The outer layer of cells lining ducts and lobules in the breast, responsible for contracting to propel milk towards the nipple.
What is hyperplasia?
What is hyperplasia?
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What is galactorrhea?
What is galactorrhea?
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Study Notes
Breast Anatomy and Physiology
- Breasts are modified sweat glands, embryologically derived from the skin.
- Breast tissue can develop anywhere along the milk line (from axilla to vulva).
- The terminal duct lobular unit (TDLU) is the functional unit and produces milk, which drains via ducts to the nipple.
- Lobules and ducts are lined by two layers of epithelium:
- Luminal cell layer: inner layer, responsible for milk production.
- Myoepithelial cell layer: outer layer, responsible for contracting to move milk to the nipple.
- Breast tissue is hormone-sensitive.
- Before puberty, breast tissue consists mostly of large ducts under the nipple.
- After puberty, estrogen and progesterone stimulate lobule and duct development, with highest density in the upper outer quadrant.
- Breast tenderness is common during the premenstrual period.
- During pregnancy, lobules undergo hyperplasia (enlargement) due to hormones from the corpus luteum, fetus, and placenta.
- After menopause, breast tissue atrophies (shrinks).
- Milk production outside of lactation is called galactorrhea.
- Galactorrhea is not a symptom of breast cancer.
- Causes of galactorrhea may include nipple stimulation, prolactinoma (tumors in the pituitary gland), or medications.
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