The breast, in the adult female, consists of glandular tissue and fat tissue embedded in the superficial fascia. It consists of 15-20 glandular lobes for milk production each draining into a lactiferous duct, that independently drains into the nipple. The suspensory ligaments, which are fibrous strands, extend from the dermis of the skin into the subcutaneous tissue (deeper layer of the superficial fascia).

Major Points: Glandular + fat tissue in superficial fascia  Glandular lobes drain into  lactiferous ducts  nipple. Suspensory ligaments.

Blood Supply to the Breast

The blood supply to the breast is derived from medial and lateral mammary branches. Medially we have the internal thoracic artery and laterally we have the posterior intercostal arteries and also the lateral thoracic arteries. Branches from the thoracoacromial artery also supply this region.

Major Points: Lateral  Lateral thoracic artery  Posterior intercostal arteries  Medial  Internal Thoracic Artery

Lymphatic Drainage of the Breast

The superior and lateral aspects of the breast drain into the central and apical axillary lymph nodes via the infraclavicular and pectoral nodes.

The medial side drains mainly into the parasternal nodes, subdiagphragmatic nodes, other abdominal nodes and also the other breast.

Highly likely question: Describe the lymphatic drainage of the breast. Describe its blood supply and also its contents.

Possible (T/F) Question: The glandular tissue of the a male’s or young female’s breast are rudimentary (Answer: True – i.e.: it is not as developed yet).

Category: Anatomy Notes