This document explains the anatomy of the female breast, detailing its structure, blood supply, nerve supply, and lymphatic drainage. It also discusses various clinical aspects such as breast abscesses, engorgement, fibrocystic disease, cracked nipples, and breast cancer, including their symptoms, risk factors, and treatments. Key conclusions highlight the breast's composition, common postpartum issues, and the need for surgical intervention in breast cancer cases.

1. Dr. Mini Sood
Anatomy of the female breast and
clinical aspects

2. Left breast
This figure shows the
anatomical relations of the
left breast and the
lymphatic channels. The
breast lies over the
pectoral muscles and the
serratus muscles. It is
from the 2nd to the 6th
intercostal space, around
the mid axillary line.

3. Relations of breast over-chest
wall
The chest wall
and the breast
showing the
muscles, facia
and bony
structures

4. Anatomy
The
components of
the breast The
nipple, ducts
and the lobules,
within the fatty
tissue .

5. The breast from skin to fat and
beneath...

6. side view of the breast with its
lobules and ducts

7. Blood supply
The Blood supply of the breast is from the
internal mammary (int thoracic) vessels for
the medial side. The lateral side is
supplied by the lateral and dorsal thoracic
vessels. The axillary artery also supplies
the breast

8. Nerve supply
 The nerve supply is from the anterior and lateral
cutaneous nerves fromm the 2nd to the 6th
intercostal space.

9. Lymphatic supply
This picture
shows the
lymphatic
supply of the
breast and the
small tumor
located in the
upper lateral
quadrant of the
breast

10. Clinical aspects- breast abscess
The breast abscess seen
in the left breast upper
part as a reddened
swelling can develop
after birth as a result of
infection in the ducts or
the lobules of the breast
when milk is present. The
organisms find the milk to
be a good culture
medium. Patients with
immunocompromised
states like diabetes or on
steroids or anticancer
drugs are more prone.
The treatment is always a
surgical incision and
drainage.

11. Breast engorgement
The breast
engorgement is a hard
tender all round
swelling with pain of
the breasts, after birth.
This develops by the
second or third day is
due to the milk
production that is not
released. If untreated
can progress to an
abscess.
The treatment is by
pain relief, hot
fomentation, breast
milk pumping, an
injection of 5 units of
oxytocin to let the milk
out and breast support

12. Fibrocystic disease
The fibrocystic
disease of the
breast affects
both breasts
and can be
painful
premenstrual.
The treatment is
symptomatic
relief when it is
mild.

13. Cracked nipples
Cracked nipples are seen
in the antenatal period or
in the postpartum phase.
These cracks can
become painful and
infected- causing difficulty
in breastfeeding. These
are treated by creams to
soften and treat, followed,
by the cleaning with
warm water before every
feed.

14. Breast cancer
The breast cancer can present at any age
with different appearances. One of the
most common cancers in women. It is
diagnosed by a biopsy which can be a fine
needle one or a tissue biopsy. The
treatment by surgery is based on the
staging and the chemoradiation follows.
Patients seen by any doctor, will need to
be sent to the surgery or the oncosurgeon.

15. conclusions
Female breast is made up of lobules
and ducts with-in a fibro-fatty tissue
Breasts are located over the anterior
chest wall over pectoralis major
muscles.
The chief blood supply is from the
mammary arteries and the axillary
vessels.
The lymphatics drain into the
lymph nodes, found in the axilla, along
the costal margins and in the

16. Conclusions
The breast engorgement, nipple cracks,
mastitis and abscess occur in the postpartum
period.
Breast nodules may be benign like the
fibroma.
Fibrocystic disease is due to the hormone
effects resulting in bilateral nodules that
become painful pre- menstrual. These can
progress and are treated when symptomatic.
Breast cancer can start as a small painless
mass, in the early stages, or as large

17. Thank you