Anatomy and Physiology—

BreastFunction: milk production and sexual

pleasure

Tail of Spence

Cooper’s ligaments

Nipple

Lactiferous ducts

(continues)

Anatomy and Physiology—

Breast

Areola

Montgomery’s tubercles

Lobes

Lobules

Alveoli or acini

Lymphatic drainage

Axillary nodes: central, pectoral, subscapular, lateral

Internal mammary chain

Assessment

Assess the following areas

Breasts

Areolar areas

Nipples

Axillae

(continues)

Assessment

Assess the following characteristics

Color

Vascularity

Thickening/edema

Size and symmetry

Contour

Lesions/masses

Discharge

Normal Findings

Breast and axillae are flesh colored

Areolar areas and nipples are darker in

pigmentation

Moles and nevi are normal variants

No thickening or edema

(continues)

Normal Findings

Minor size variation in the breasts and

areolar areas

Usually breast on dominant side is larger

Nipples should point upward and outward,

may point outward and downward

(continues)

Normal Findings

Breasts, areolar areas, nipples should be

symmetrical

Breasts are convex, without flattening,

retractions, or dimpling

Free from masses, tumors, primary or

secondary lesions

(continues)

Normal Findings

No discharge from nipples in

nonpregnant, nonlactating female

Usually, palpable lymph nodes less than

1 cm in diameter are clinically

insignificant

Palpation should not elicit pain

(continues)

Normal Findings

Consistency of breast tissue is highly variable depending upon age, time in menstrual cycle, and proportion of adipose tissue

Breasts are usually nodular or granular prior to menses

Variation with breast augmentation—breasts feel fluid filled or firm throughout