Knowledge Base
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Anatomy of breast
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Breast
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Female breast overlies pectoralis major and serratus anterior
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Pectoral muscles action: Tensing of the muscle pushes breast forwards.
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2nd to 6th rib
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Ssternal edge to mid-axillary line
- Nipple and areola
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areolar surface has few hairs and sebaceous glands, sweat glands
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nipple and areola are supplied by smooth muscle to facilitate expression of milk from the ductal system
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Montgomery glands secrete fluid to keep areola slightly moist
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tactile stimulus
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nipple contracts, becomes smaller and firmer and more erect
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areola puckers and wrinkles
- Supplementary breasts along milk line
- Localization
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Quadrants: Breast divided into four quadrants
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Time: localized by the time on clock and the distance from the nipple
- Composition of breast
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Glandular tissue (lumpy)
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15 to 29 ducts draining into the nipple
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Fibrous connective tissue
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Adipose tissue (soft)
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Composition varies with age, state of nutrition, pregnancy and other factors
- Physiology
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Changes with
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monthly menstrual cycle (nodularity increases premenstrually)
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pregnancy
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lactation
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menopause
- Changes with age
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Tanner's sexual developmental stages. Breasts develop at different rates and has racial variation
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Stage 1
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preadolescent : small elevated nipple
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stage 2
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8-13 breast buds appear further enlargement of breast and areola
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stage 3
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further development no separation of their contours
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stage 4
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projection of areola and the nipple to form secondary mound above the level of breast
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stage 5
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projection of nipple only. areola has receded to general contour of the breast
- Normal adult
- Soft, granular, nodular or lumpy.
- With aging
- breasts diminish in size.
- flaccid and pendulous
- glandular tissue atrophies replaced by fat
Diseases affecting breast
Pathology of lesions of breast
Ref:
- Review Dr. Thackery Gray's lesson, "Breast lecture".
- Physical Examination and History taking by Barbara Batea