Anatomy and Physiology— Anatomy and Physiology— BreastBreast

Function: milk production and sexual Function: milk production and sexual pleasurepleasure

Tail of SpenceTail of Spence

Cooper’s ligamentsCooper’s ligaments

NippleNipple

Lactiferous ductsLactiferous ducts

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Anatomy and Physiology— Anatomy and Physiology— BreastBreast

AreolaAreolaMontgomery’s tuberclesMontgomery’s tuberclesLobesLobesLobulesLobulesAlveoli or aciniAlveoli or aciniLymphatic drainageLymphatic drainage Axillary nodes: central, pectoral, Axillary nodes: central, pectoral,

subscapular, lateralsubscapular, lateral Internal mammary chainInternal mammary chain

AssessmentAssessment

Assess the following areasAssess the following areas BreastsBreasts Areolar areasAreolar areas NipplesNipples AxillaeAxillae

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AssessmentAssessment

Assess the following characteristicsAssess the following characteristics ColorColor VascularityVascularity Thickening/edemaThickening/edema Size and symmetrySize and symmetry ContourContour Lesions/massesLesions/masses DischargeDischarge

Normal FindingsNormal Findings

Breast and axillae are flesh coloredBreast and axillae are flesh colored

Areolar areas and nipples are darker in Areolar areas and nipples are darker in pigmentationpigmentation

Moles and nevi are normal variantsMoles and nevi are normal variants

No thickening or edemaNo thickening or edema

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Normal FindingsNormal Findings

Minor size variation in the breasts and Minor size variation in the breasts and areolar areasareolar areas

Usually breast on dominant side is largerUsually breast on dominant side is larger

Nipples should point upward and outward, Nipples should point upward and outward, may point outward and downwardmay point outward and downward

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Normal FindingsNormal Findings

Breasts, areolar areas, nipples should be Breasts, areolar areas, nipples should be symmetricalsymmetrical

Breasts are convex, without flattening, Breasts are convex, without flattening, retractions, or dimplingretractions, or dimpling

Free from masses, tumors, primary or Free from masses, tumors, primary or secondary lesionssecondary lesions

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Normal FindingsNormal Findings

No discharge from nipples in No discharge from nipples in nonpregnant, nonlactating femalenonpregnant, nonlactating female

Usually, palpable lymph nodes less than Usually, palpable lymph nodes less than 1 cm in diameter are clinically 1 cm in diameter are clinically insignificantinsignificant

Palpation should not elicit painPalpation should not elicit pain

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Normal FindingsNormal Findings

Consistency of breast tissue is highly Consistency of breast tissue is highly variable depending upon age, time in variable depending upon age, time in menstrual cycle, and proportion of menstrual cycle, and proportion of adipose tissueadipose tissueBreasts are usually nodular or granular Breasts are usually nodular or granular prior to mensesprior to mensesVariation with breast augmentation— Variation with breast augmentation— breasts feel fluid filled or firm throughoutbreasts feel fluid filled or firm throughout