Chapter 18- Breasts, Axillae, and Regional
Lympathics Exam 2022
Breasts - Answer- -lie anterior to the pectoralis major and serrated anterior
... [Show More] muscles
-accessory reproductive organs
-located between the 2nd and 6th ribs, extending from the side of the sternum to the
midaxillary line
What is the function of the breasts? - Answer- -produce milk for nourishing newborn
What is the superior lateral corner of the breast tissue called? - Answer- -tail of
spence
-note: pay special attention here when looking for breast cancer
Nipple - Answer- -just below center of breast
-rough, round, and usually protuberant
Areola - Answer- -surrounds the nipple for a 1-2cm radius
-has smooth muscle fibers that cause nipple erection when stimulated
-more darkly pigmented than the rest of the breast
-varies from pink to brown
Internal anatomy of the breast
what does it consist of? - Answer- (1) glandular tissue
(2) fibrous tissue, including the suspension ligament
(3) adipose tissue
Glandular tissue - Answer- -contains 15-20 lobes radiating from the nipple,
composed of lobules
Suspensory ligaments (Cooper Ligaments) - Answer- -fibrous connective tissue
extending vertically from the skin surface to attach on the chest wall muscles
Tail of spence - Answer- -cone shaped breast tissue that projects up into the axilla,
close to the pectoral group of axillary lymph nodes
-upper outer quadrant is the site of most breast tumors
The aging woman - Answer- -After menopause ovarian secretion of estrogen and
progesterone decreases, which causes the breast glandular tissue to atrophy. This is
replaced with fibrous connective tissue.
-Fat envelope also atrophies.
-These changes decreased breast size and elasticity do the breasts droop and sag,
looking flattened and flabby.
The male breast - Answer- -rudimentary structure consisting of a thin disk of
undeveloped tissue underlying the nipple
-during adolescence it is common for the breast tissue to enlarge temporarily,
producing gynecomastia
Mammography - Answer- -can discover small, potentially curable breast cancers,
and the American Cancer Society recommends beginning optional annual screening
for those at average risk at ages 40-44 years and definite annual mammography
beginning at 45
-if it runs in family can start at 35
Lifestyle factors that affect breast cancer risk - Answer- -alcohol drinking
-smoking
-post menopausal breast cancer is 1.5 times higher in overweight women and 2
times higher in obese women
Subjective data - Answer- -pain
-lump
-discharge
-rash
-swelling
-trauma
-history of breast disease
-surgery or radiation
-medications
-patient centered care
What is mastalgia? - Answer- -breast pain
-occurs with trauma, inflammation, infection, and benign breast disease
What is cyclic pain? - Answer- -comes and goes
-common with normal breasts, oral contraceptives, benign breast (fibrocystic)
disease
What is galactorrhea? - Answer- -clear nipple discharge
-medications that may cause it: oral contraceptives, phenothizines, diuretics, digitalis
steroids, methyldopa, calcium channel blockers
Breast-Self Examination - Answer- -no longer recommended but should be taught
-with good BSE practice, a woman knows how her breasts normally feel and can
detect any change more easily
What is the best way to detect a person's risk for breast CA? - Answer- -by asking
the right history questions
-most breast cancers occur in women with no identifiable risk factors except sex and
age
General Appearance of Breasts - Answer- -note symmetry, size, and shape
-a sudden increase in the size of one breast signifies inflammation or new growth
-NOTE: left is slightly larger than right
Retraction Signs - Answer- -caused by fibrosis in the breast tissue
-usually caused by growing neoplasms
-shortens with time, causing contrasting signs with the normally loose breast tissue
What to do when examining someone with large, pendulous breasts? - Answer- -ask
to lean forward while you support her forearms
-note fixation to chest wall or skin retraction
Inspect and Palpate the Axillae - Answer- -examine while woman is sitting
-note rash or infection [Show Less]