Flashcards on Female Breast and Esophagus Anatomy
Female Breast and Esophagus Anatomy: A Student Guide
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Female Breasts (Mammary Glands)
21 cards
Card 1
Question: Where are the female breasts located in relation to the thoracic wall and pectoral muscles?
Answer: At the anterior thoracic wall, anterior to the deep fascia and pectoral muscles, separated from them by the retromammary space.
Card 2
Question: What are the two main components of each breast?
Answer: Mammary glands and surrounding connective tissue (including adipose and fibrous tissue).
Card 3
Question: What type of glands are the mammary glands considered to be?
Answer: Modified apocrine sweat glands (structurally dynamic).
Card 4
Question: How does the structure of the mammary glands change over time?
Answer: They are structurally dynamic: anatomy changes with a woman’s age, menstrual cycle phase, and reproductive status.
Card 5
Question: When are the mammary glands active and which hormones control milk production and ejection?
Answer: They are active in adult women after childbirth (postpartum). Prolactin stimulates milk production; oxytocin stimulates milk ejection.
Card 6
Question: What predominates in the breast outside of the postpartum period?
Answer: Less abundant glands and most breast tissue filled with adipose (fat).
Card 7
Question: How many secretory lobes does each mammary gland typically have?
Answer: 15–20 secretory lobes.
Card 8
Question: What are the fibrous bands that separate the lobes called and what is their function?
Answer: Suspensory ligaments of the breast (of Cooper); they support the breast by inserting into the dermis and originate from the clavipectoral fascia.
Card 9
Question: What structures make up the secretory lobes and what do their ducts form?
Answer: Secretory lobes contain numerous lobules made of tubuloalveolar glands; their secretory ducts are the lactiferous ducts which converge and open into t
Card 10
Question: What is the lactiferous sinus?
Answer: A dilation of each lactiferous duct just before it opens onto the nipple.