Milk glands - lobules that secrete milk during pregnancy
and breastfeeding
Mammary ducts – canals that carry milk from the lobules
to the nipple openings
Fibrous connective tissue
Nerves
Blood vessels
Lymph vessels – delicate vessels that collect lymph
fluid
from tissues and drain it back into the bloodstream
Small amounts of muscle tissue
In the nipple to allow it to become erect in response
to sexual stimulation or breastfeeding
Around the lobules to help squeeze milk into the ducts.
Key muscles support the breasts rom behind and underneath.
Breast
size and shape is unique to each woman and is determined by heredity
and body size. However, breast tissue changes throughout a woman’s
lifetime depending on hormonal changes.
Breasts develop at puberty as hormones stimulate the system
to form and enlarge lobules and ducts. Full development can
occur any time between the ages of 12 and 19.
A woman’s monthly menstrual cycle causes breast granularity
to change. Swelling and tenderness of both breasts may occur
during the second half of the menstrual cycle. Cysts may grow
and then shrink.
During pregnancy, the lobules multiply and begin to produce
milk.
When a baby is born, milk is released into the ducts for
breastfeeding (lactation).
During menopause the number of lobules decreases and those
remaining shrink. A larger proportion of the breast is made
up of fat so breast density decreases.
The breast can be affected by a number of both benign and cancerous
conditions.
Breast
size and shape is unique to each woman and is determined by heredity
and body size. However, breast tissue changes throughout a woman’s
lifetime depending on hormonal changes.