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Anatomy and Function of the Breast

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The female breast has always been at the center of attention.  Poets, artists and pornographers have all explored and exploited the female breast. . Underneath all the infatuation is a remarkably functional piece of the human anatomy.

The main functional purpose of the breast in any mammal is the production of milk for offspring.  It should not surprise us then that the female breast is composed of quite a few biological features designed to produce and deliver milk.  The female breast is composed of 15 to 20 sections called lobes with each lobe ending in many smaller lobules also known as the terminal ductal lobular unit (TDLU).  The lobules terminate in lots of tiny bulbs that produce milk during lactation.  The lobes, lobules and bulbs are all linked together by thin tubes called ducts.  Breasts vary greatly in the amount of adipose tissue (fat) they contain, so breasts vary considerably in size.  A normal mature female breast varies from 50 to 500 grams. 

The nipple is composed of dense connective tissue and is where the various ducts eventually terminate.  Pigmentation varies greatly in both the nipple and the areola (the pigmented area around the nipple). Both the nipple and the areola contain numerous sebaceous glands and milk ducts. 

The breast contains lymph nodes which drain into multiple sites including the skin around the breast, the chest wall, and the axilla (under the arm).  The axilla contain a large majority of the lymphatic drainage from the breast, and are therefore of particular importance when assessing metastases of breast cancer.  Specifically, 75% of the lymphatic drainage of the breast is to the axillary lymph nodes. 

The adult breast is very sensitive to hormonal changes.  It is important to understand the changes the breast goes through via normal hormonal fluctuations in order to distinguish between normal changes and changes that may be significant in regards to disease.  Menstruation cycles alone account for five distinct phases of physical change to the breast.  Generally speaking, during the first two weeks of the menstrual cycle estrogen stimulation causes growth of the ductal elements.  During the latter two weeks, progesterone causes the lobules to grow leading to breast swelling and tenderness just before menstruation.

During pregnancy and lactation significant changes occur in the breast.  In fact one of the first signs of pregnancy is swelling of the breasts due to the production of progesterone.  The areolas begin swelling first, then the entire breast becomes enlarged.  By the fifth or sixth month of pregnancy the breasts are fully capable of producing milk.  Many hormones are involved in the transformations required for lactation.  These include follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin, oxytocin and human placental lactogen (HPL). 

  Bankers learn to identify counterfeit bills by studying valid bills.  Likewise, an understanding of a healthy breast and its function is important in recognizing when something is wrong.  Early detection of breast cancer is by far the best prognostic indicator for a good outcome.   

Article by Michael Guthrie, R.Ph. 

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"Alternative Cancer Treatments"  Michael Guthrie, R.Ph.  CGP 2003-2006
Updated May 7, 2006