Anatomy And physiology Of The Breast

Anatomy And Physiology Of The Breast

Question: Describe the female breast under the following headings: (a) location and extent, (b) relations, (c) blood supply, (d) lymphatic drainage, and (e) applied anatomy.
Answer.

Female Breast Location

The breast is hemispherical and is located on either side in the superficial fascia of the pectoral region.

“Understanding the breast through FAQs: Composition, functions, and uses explained”

Female Breast Extent

• Vertically: It extends from the 2nd to the 6th rib in the midclavicular line.
• Horizontally: It extends from the lateral border of the sternum to the midaxillary line.

Female Breast Relations

Superficial relations

• Skin
• Superficial fascia

Female Breast Deep relations

• Pectoral fascia (deep fascia covering the pectoralis major).
• Three muscles: pectoralis major (medially), serratus anterior (laterally), and external oblique (inferomedially).
• Loose areolar tissue of the retromammary space intervenes between the breast and pectoral fascia.

“Importance of studying the breast for medical students: Questions explained”

Female Breast Blood Supply

Female Breast Arterial Supply:

The breast is a highly vascular organ and is supplied by the following arteries:

• Internal thoracic artery through its 2nd, 3rd, and 4th perforating branches.
• Lateral thoracic, superior thoracic, and acromiothoracic branches of the axillary artery.
• Lateral branches of the posterior intercostal arteries.