Term
| What is the pectoral region and what does it consist of? |
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Definition
Region external to anterior thoracic wall and anchors the upper limb to trunk
Includes superifical compartment containing skin, superficial fascia, breasts and deep compartment containing muscles and associated structure |
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Term
| Where do the nerves, vessels, and lymphatics in the superficial compartment of the pectoral region arise from? |
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Definition
| Thoracic wall, axilla, and the neck |
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Term
| What type of glands are mammary glands and where are they located? |
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Definition
Modified sweat glands in the superficial fascia anterior to pectoral muscles/thoracic wall
Contain ducts and associated secretory lobules |
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Term
| Describe the duct system of the breast |
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Definition
| Mammary glands are series of ducts and associated lobules that converge to form 15 to 20 lactiferous ducts which open independently onto the nipple. Nipple surrouned by pigmented areola. |
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Term
| What is the cause of skin pitting in carcinoma of the breast? |
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Definition
| Tension on suspensory ligaments of breast which are continuous to the skin and support the breast. |
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Term
| Describe the structure(s) that support the breast |
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Definition
| Well-developed, connective tissue stroma surrounding ducts/lobules that condense to form well-defined suspensory ligaments of breast. |
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Term
| What is the predominant component of the breast and how and in what condition can this differ? |
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Definition
| Predominant component of breast is fat while glandular tissue is more abundant in lactating women. |
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Term
| What tissue provides some degree of movement of the breast over underlying structures? |
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Definition
| The retromammary space that separates the breast from deep fascia and is a layer of loose connctive tissue. |
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Term
| Where does the base of the breast attach to? |
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Definition
| The attached surface of the breast extends vertically from ribs II to VI and transversly from the sternum |
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Term
| Where can the upper lateral region of the breast project to? |
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Definition
| The upper lateral region of the breast can project around the lateral margin of the pec major and into the axilla. The axillary process (tail) may perforate the deep fascia and extend as far superiorly as apex of axilla. |
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Term
| What is the significance of the axillary process? |
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Definition
| It may perforate deep fascia and extend as far superiorly as apex of axilla. Therefore, if the patient requires a masectomy, you may need to remove tissue all the way up to the apex of the axilla. |
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Term
| What is the arterial supply of the breast? |
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Definition
Laterally: axillary, artery-superior thoracic, thoraco-acromial, lateral thoracic, and subscapular
Medially: branches from internal thoracic artery
"Posteriorly": second and fourth intercostal arteries via branches that perforate thoracic wall/overlying muscle |
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Term
| What veins does the breast drain to? |
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Definition
| Veins drain parallel to arteries into the axillary, internal thoracic, and intercostal veins. |
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Term
| Describe the lymphatic drainage of the breast. |
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Definition
- 75% (lateral and superior parts of breasts) drain into axillary nodes
- Most of remaining drainage (medial) drain to parasternal nodes
- Inferior part of breasts drain into abdomen
- Some drain vessels following posterior intercostal arteries and connect to intercostal nodes near heads and necks of ribs
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Term
| Which nerves innervate the breast and nipple? |
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Definition
Breast is innervated by second and sixth intercostal nerves.
Nipple innervated by fourth intercostal nerve |
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Term
| Differentiate the male breast from the female breast. |
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Definition
| The male breast consists of only smal ducts that normally do not extend beyond areola. Still can be cancerous. |
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Term
| What are the muscles of the pectoral region and where do they extend from/too? |
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Definition
| Pectoralis major, pectoralis minor, and subclavius muscles that originate from the anterior thoracic wall and insert into bones of upper limb |
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