ANATOMY OF THE BREAST

ANATOMY OF THE BREAST

Lobes, Lobules, Ducts, and Nipple Areola Complex

• The breast is divided into 15-20 lobes, each having a lactiferous duct that opens at the nipple.
• Lobules are the glands that produce milk and are located at the end of the lactiferous ducts.
• Ducts are the tubes that carry milk from lobules to the nipple.
• The nipple areola complex consists of the nipple, areola, and the pigmented skin surrounding the nipple.

Supporting Connective Tissue and Cooper’s Ligaments

• The breast is supported by a network of connective tissue called Cooper’s ligaments.
• These ligaments are made of collagen and elastin fibers and provide support and elasticity to the breast.
• They are most prominent in the subcutaneous layer of the breast.

Blood Supply from Internal Mammary and Lateral Thoracic Arteries

• The breast receives its blood supply from the internal mammary artery and the lateral thoracic artery.
• The internal mammary artery supplies the medial part of the breast, while the lateral thoracic artery supplies the lateral part.

Venous Drainage to Axillary and Internal Mammary Veins

• The breast has a dual venous drainage system.
• The medial part of the breast drains into the internal mammary vein, while the lateral part drains into the axillary vein.

Lymphatic Drainage mainly to Axillary Nodes, also Internal Mammary Nodes

• The lymphatic drainage of the breast is mainly to the axillary lymph nodes.
• The internal mammary nodes also receive lymphatic drainage from the medial part of the breast.

Relation of Anatomy to Diseases like Carcinoma Spread and Mastitis

• The anatomy of the breast is closely related to the spread of carcinoma.
• Cancer cells can spread through the lymphatic vessels to the axillary lymph nodes.
• Mastitis is an inflammation of the breast tissue, which can be caused by infection or trauma.

PATHOLOGY OF CARCINOMA OF BREAST

• Carcinoma of the breast is a type of cancer that arises from the epithelial cells of the breast tissue.
• It can be classified into several types, including:
  • Invasive ductal carcinoma
  • Invasive lobular carcinoma
  • Inflammatory carcinoma
  • Paget’s disease
• The clinical features of carcinoma of the breast include:
  • A lump or mass in the breast
  • Changes in the size or shape of the breast
  • Skin changes, such as redness or dimpling
  • Nipple discharge or retraction
• The investigations for carcinoma of the breast include:
  • Mammography
  • Ultrasound
  • Biopsy
• The management of carcinoma of the breast includes:
  • Surgical excision
  • Chemotherapy
  • Radiotherapy
• The complications of carcinoma of the breast include:
  • Spread to the lymph nodes or distant organs
  • Recurrence after treatment

PATHOLOGY OF MASTITIS

• Mastitis is an inflammation of the breast tissue, which can be caused by infection or trauma.
• The clinical features of mastitis include:
  • Pain or tenderness in the breast
  • Redness or swelling of the breast
  • Fever or chills
  • Nipple discharge or retraction
• The investigations for mastitis include:
  • Physical examination
  • Imaging studies, such as ultrasound or mammography
• The management of mastitis includes:
  • Antibiotics
  • Pain management
  • Rest and hydration
• The complications of mastitis include:
  • Abscess formation
  • Necrosis of the breast tissue

HOMOEOPATHIC THERAPEUTIC MEDICINES FOR BREAST DISEASES

• Calcarea carbonica: indicated for fibroadenoma and cysts
• Pulsatilla: indicated for mastitis and abscesses
• Belladonna: indicated for mastalgia and inflammation
• Calcarea phosphorica: indicated for fibrocystic changes and mastalgia
• Sepia: indicated for mastalgia and menstrual irregularities