1. Anatomy and Physiology—
Breast
Function: milk production and sexual
pleasure
Tail of Spence
Cooper’s ligaments
Nipple
Lactiferous ducts
(continues)
2. Anatomy and Physiology—
Breast
Areola
Montgomery’s tubercles
Lobes
Lobules
Alveoli or acini
Lymphatic drainage
Axillary nodes: central, pectoral,
subscapular, lateral
Internal mammary chain
3. Assessment
Assess the following areas
Breasts
Areolar areas
Nipples
Axillae
(continues)
4. Assessment
Assess the following characteristics
Color
Vascularity
Thickening/edema
Size and symmetry
Contour
Lesions/masses
Discharge
5. Normal Findings
Breast and axillae are flesh colored
Areolar areas and nipples are darker in
pigmentation
Moles and nevi are normal variants
No thickening or edema
(continues)
6. Normal Findings
Minor size variation in the breasts and
areolar areas
Usually breast on dominant side is larger
Nipples should point upward and outward,
may point outward and downward
(continues)
7. Normal Findings
Breasts, areolar areas, nipples should be
symmetrical
Breasts are convex, without flattening,
retractions, or dimpling
Free from masses, tumors, primary or
secondary lesions
(continues)
8. Normal Findings
No discharge from nipples in
nonpregnant, nonlactating female
Usually, palpable lymph nodes less than
1 cm in diameter are clinically
insignificant
Palpation should not elicit pain
(continues)
9. Normal Findings
Consistency of breast tissue is highly
variable depending upon age, time in
menstrual cycle, and proportion of
adipose tissue
Breasts are usually nodular or granular
prior to menses
Variation with breast augmentation—
breasts feel fluid filled or firm throughout
