The breast

Published on 10/03/2015 by admin

Filed under Obstetrics & Gynecology

Last modified 10/03/2015

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Chapter 40 The breast

The adult breast is of various sizes and is divided into 15–25 lobes, separated from each other by fibrous septa which radiate from the nipple. Each lobe has its own duct system, which terminates in a dilated area beneath the nipple and then opens on to the surface of the nipple as a punctate orifice. Each lobe is divided into lobules, each of which contains 10–100 acini surrounded by fatty tissue, lymphatics and blood vessels.

During the menstrual cycle, the female breast undergoes cyclical changes induced by oestradiol and progesterone. Oestradiol induces growth of the acini and, combined with progesterone in the luteal phase, causes duct development, increased vascular congestion, and fluid transudation into the breast tissues. The result is that in the late luteal phase the breasts are fuller, heavier, and may be painful.