Breast Anatomy: Milk Ducts, Tissue, Conditions & Physiology

Overview of Breasts

• Breasts are part of both female and male anatomy.
• Females: Functional for breastfeeding and sexual pleasure.
• Males: No physiological function but can provide sexual pleasure.
• Visible parts include nipples and areolas.

Layers of a Woman’s Breast

• Glandular Tissue: Produces milk for lactation.
• Connective/Fibrous Tissue: Holds glandular and fatty tissue in place.
• Fatty Tissue: Determines breast size and fills areas between other tissues.
• Males: Have glandular tissue and fatty tissue with underdeveloped milk ducts.

Anatomy of the Breasts

• Adipose Tissue: Fatty tissue extending from collarbone to armpit.
• Lobes: 15 to 20 sections in each breast, surrounding the nipple.
• Glandular Tissue (Lobules): Produce milk.
• Milk Ducts: Carry milk from lobules to nipples.
• Nipples: Center of areola, have about nine milk ducts and many nerves.
• Areolae: Darker skin around nipples, contains glands for lubrication.
• Blood & Lymph Vessels: Circulate blood and lymphatic fluid.
• Lymph Nodes: Help fight infection.
• Nerves: Nipples are sensitive due to nerve endings.

Male Breast Anatomy

• During puberty, testosterone stops breast development.
• External features include nipples and areolae.
• Internally, have undeveloped milk ducts.
• Conditions: Gynecomastia (enlargement) and rarely breast cancer.

Physiological Functions of the Breast

• Hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and prolactin are crucial for development and function.
  • Estrogen: Stretches milk ducts.
  • Prolactin: Promotes progesterone production.
  • Progesterone: Enlarges lobules and blood vessels.
  • Oxytocin: Ejects breast milk.

Conditions Affecting Breast Anatomy

• Breast Cancer: Major health threat, 1 in 13 females affected.
• Dense Breasts: More glandular/fibrous tissue, difficult to detect cancer in mammograms.
• Dense breast tissue and tumors appear white on mammograms.

Breast Health Maintenance

• Consult healthcare provider for mammogram frequency.
• Breast self-exams for familiarization with normal look and feel.

Sensitivity of Breasts

• Nipples have many nerve endings; more sensitive in females due to hormones.

When to Consult a Healthcare Provider

• New lumps, nipple discharge, pain, changes in appearance, inward nipple, or rash.
• Family history of breast/ovarian cancer should prompt genetic testing discussions.