Breast

About the Breast

The breasts mammary glands are modified sweat glands located on the anterior chest wall over the pectoralis major. Each breast has 15 to 20 lobes arranged radially, each containing lobules with milk producing alveoli during lactation. Milk drains through lactiferous ducts to the nipple. The areola surrounds the nipple with modified sebaceous glands Montgomery glands. Cooper ligaments provide structural support. Breast development is estrogen driven at puberty. During pregnancy, estrogen and progesterone prepare the glands, and prolactin stimulates milk production after delivery. Oxytocin triggers milk ejection let down reflex. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women worldwide, with risk factors including age, BRCA mutations, family history, early menarche, late menopause, nulliparity, alcohol, and hormone therapy. Mammography is used for both screening and diagnosis. Sentinel node biopsy stages cancer. Mastectomy and lumpectomy are surgical options.