Learning breast anatomy is
important for health
The well-known
breast cancer advocacy
and research
group Susan G.
Komen indicates that,
according to the most
recent data available,
1.7 million new cases of
breast cancer occurred
among women worldwide
in 2012.
Western Europe,
North America, and
northern Europe have
the highest breast cancer
incidences in the world,
according to the International
Agency for
Research on Cancer
and the World
Health Organization.
Women diagnosed
with breast
cancer may want
to begin their
t reatment
journeys by
e duc at i ng
themselves on
the anatomy of the breast
so they can better understand
their disease and
how it develops.
The structure of the
breast is complex and
comprised of fat, glandular
tissue, connective tissue,
lobes, lobules, ducts,
lymph nodes, blood vessels,
and ligaments. The
following is a breakdown
of the common components
of the breast:
Fat cells
The female breast is
largely fat cells called
adipose tissue. This tissue
extends from the collarbone
down to the underarm
and across to the
middle of the rib cage.
The main purpose of
adipose tissue is to store
energy in the form of fat
and insulate the body.
Lobules
Each breast contains
several sections that
branch out from the nipple.
Lobule glands make
milk and are often
grouped together to form
lobes. There may be between
15 and 20 lobes
in each breast, says the
Cleveland Clinic. Each
lobe has roughly 20 to 40
lobules.
Ducts
Connecting the lobules
are small tubes
called ducts. The ducts
carry milk to the nipples
of the breasts.
There are around
10 duct systems in each
breast, each with its own
opening at the nipple.
Nipple
The nipple may be the
most recognizeable part
of the breast. It is in the
center of the breast. The
lobules will squeeze milk
into the ducts, which
then transfer it to the
nipples.
Most nipples
protrude outward,
but according
to
Health magazine’s
medical
editor Dr. Roshini
Rajapaksa, some
women have flat or
inverted nipples.
The nipples
do not have a
singular hole
for the milk to
come out like an artificial
bottle nipple.
Rather, there are
many lactiferous duct
outlets in each nipple
that correspond to the
ducts in each breast.
Lymph system
Snaking through the
adipose tissue are lymph
vessels and nodes.
The lymph system
distributes disease-fighting
cells and fluids as
part of the immune system,
states the National
Breast Cancer Foundation,
Inc.
Bean-shaped lymph
nodes in fixed areas
through the system filter
abnormal cells away
from healthy tissue.
Areola
The areola is pigmented
skin surrounding a
nipple.
The areola contains
tubercles called Montgomery’s
glands, which
secrete lubricating materials
to make breastfeeding
more comfortable.
Changes in any areas
of the breast may be indicative
of cancer. That
is why women are urged
to understand their
breasts’ “normal” appearance
and feel so they
can recognize any changes
and address them with
a doctor right away.
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