Mammary Gland
➢ The Mammary Gland is a modified sweat gland of an apocrine variety seen in both males and females. However, in females it has a specific function which is the production of milk.
➢ Lies in the superficial fascia of the anterior chest wall overlying the pectoralis major muscle .
➢ Extension • Vertical : 2nd to 6th rib , • Horizontal : Lateral border of sternum – mid axillary line • nipple lies at the level of the fourth intercostal space.
➢ Divided into four ( UL , UM , LL , LM ) quadrants. ➢ Predominantly composed of adipose tissue and glandular tissue.
➢ Cooper ligaments are the fibrous connections between the inner side of the breast skin and the pectoral muscles.
➢ The adult breast has nearly 14-18 lactiferous lobes which drain into lactiferous ducts which further converge to drain at the nipple-areola complex.
➢ The glandular parenchyma is oestrogen dependent, thus on attaining menopause the glandular parenchyma atrophies.
➢ extension of breast tissue into the axilla called the axillary tail. • Spence tail is the prolongation of upper outer quadrant of the breast in the axillary direction. It is also called the axillary tail, once it passes through the foramen of Langer, it pierces the axillary fascia. The duct system is seen to extend into the axilla.