We study the structure of the female breast. Physiology and general information about the female breast

A secondary sexual characteristic in women is a fully developed breast. The beginning of development falls on the pubertal period at the age of 12-14 years. In the postpartum period, the breast is considered fully formed. What the breast consists of and how it changes throughout life is a rather entertaining topic, because in the life of every woman the mammary glands play an important role.

Each person has at least the slightest idea not only about the appearance, but also about how the mammary gland is arranged. The female breast consists of two semicircular hills located at the level of the upper pairs of ribs. The chest is attached to the pectoral muscle, but has no muscles in its structure. It is for this reason that it is impossible to change the anatomy of the chest through exercise.

Approximately in the middle of the mammary gland are its components - the nipple and the surrounding areola. Before pregnancy, the color of the areola and nipple ranges from pale pink to red, and after childbirth and breastfeeding, from brown to brown. The areola and nipple also contain sebaceous and sweat glands.

On the surface of the nipple are the smallest holes, where there is an outflow of milk from the milk ducts during the lactation period. Also, the skin of the nipple is covered with a network of wrinkles.

Structure

Many women are interested in the question: how does the female breast work from the inside. The anatomy of the mammary gland looks like this: directly under the skin is a glandular tissue, which includes lobules, consisting of many nerve endings and small vessels. They are responsible for milk production. The amount may vary depending on the individual characteristics of the woman's body. To the touch, the slices are similar to small balls. Each of the lobules has a separate milk duct for the withdrawal of breast milk. The ducts go to the nipple, in which the lactiferous openings are located.

The location of the mammary glands is carried out on the small and large pectoral muscles. Between them is connective tissue. As the name implies, it is responsible for attaching the gland to the muscles.

The structure of the mammary gland also includes adipose tissue. The size of a woman's breasts depends on its quantity. For this reason, when a woman decides to go on a diet and begins to lose weight, the breasts decrease along with the weight. Only in some women, body weight does not affect the size of the mammary glands.

Another important feature is the presence of lymph nodes under the breast, in the supraclavicular region and in the armpits. The lymph nodes are responsible for ensuring the safety of the gland, preventing the penetration of various microbes. For women, it is extremely important to regularly examine and palpate the lymph nodes for inflammation. Any changes may indicate the development of serious pathological processes.

Size and shape

Regarding the shape and size, we can say that these are completely individual indicators. As already mentioned, the size often depends on the amount of fat in the woman's body. If we consider the chest in section, we can find that most of it is adipose tissue. It is quite logical that thin girls have a breast size that is much smaller than the fair sex of a denser physique.

However, breast size does not always correspond to body weight. In some cases, large volumes of glandular tissue can form quite good shapes. Then a thin girl can have a big bust. The thing is that the volume of the fat layer directly depends on nutrition, and the glandular tissue - on the hormonal background. Hormone surges and related changes are especially noticeable during menstruation and pregnancy.

The shape of the breast depends on the elasticity of the skin, that is, the outer capsule. Often, the breasts sag for several reasons: a sharp weight loss, pregnancy and breastfeeding. However, the ability to breastfeed does not depend on external parameters such as shape and size. Doctors explain what the breast should be according to physiological norms: the left gland is slightly larger than the right one.

Hormonal changes

Anatomical features of the structure are far from the only factors affecting its condition and appearance. A large role in this matter is played by hormones in the body in a certain amount. In total, there are about 15 such hormones.

The main types of hormones that affect:

1. Prolactin is responsible for the organization of breastfeeding. It is prolactin that performs many functions of the mammary gland. It also regulates the amount of progesterone during pregnancy and contributes to the safe bearing of the child.
2. Estrogen - the condition and appearance of the mammary glands directly depends on its amount. Sagging breasts are not only a consequence of breastfeeding, but may also indicate an acute shortage of estrogen in the body.
3. Progesterone - the lobes of the mammary gland, glandular tissue, the number of alveoli - the development and growth of these components lies entirely on the shoulders of progesterone. It begins to be actively produced in puberty.

Hormonal disruptions in the body provoke the occurrence of serious pathologies associated with the female breast. All neoplasms, both benign and malignant, are the result of a violation of the level of hormones.

During menopause, hormonal changes also occur, which leads to a change in the structure of the mammary glands in women. The connective tissue is gradually destroyed, and the breast loses its elasticity. The result is sagging of the mammary glands. In rare cases, similar manifestations are possible in women of childbearing age. Changes are less noticeable when a woman does not have a large bust.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Every month, a woman's body undergoes cyclical changes due to the onset of the menstrual cycle. However, the most significant changes occur during childbearing. Starting from the fifth week after conception, the breasts begin to look a little different.

Areoles gradually acquire darker shades and slightly increase in size. The internal anatomy of the mammary glands also begins to change: the gland undergoes a period of enlargement and internal restructuring. The weight of the female breast throughout pregnancy can increase at least 2-3 times.

During the bearing of a child, the functions of the mammary gland change: it begins to prepare for lactation and produces colostrum - defective milk. As the due date approaches, colostrum turns into milk.

The appearance and structure of the mammary gland returns to normal gradually after the end of the complete end of lactation. Many women note that after breastfeeding, the breasts have not returned to the size they were before pregnancy.

postpartum period

When a baby is born, most women perform early attachment. This is how active stimulation and outflow of milk occurs. At this point, the pituitary gland receives signals about the need to produce prolactin and oxytocin for enhanced control over the formation of the required amount of milk in the breast.

Depending on the state of the hormonal background, the mammary glands produce certain volumes of milk. If there are any disorders with hormones, then excess milk appears and, as a result, lactostasis. To avoid its development, the mother needs some time to additionally express part of the milk between feedings.

Pumping is also necessary to stimulate the mammary glands during a period of milk shortage. When the condition returns to normal, the glands will produce exactly as much milk as the baby needs for one feeding.

Anomalies of structure and development

The structure of the female breast sometimes has deviations from the norm. Not all of them are dangerous to health. In some cases, the female breast looks quite normal. For example, the flatness or retraction of the nipples is a fairly common deviation. Difficulties in this case arise only during breastfeeding. The solution is simple: either buying special nozzles in the shape of a nipple, or plastic surgery.

The structure of the chest may have the following anomalies:

1. Polymastia - manifests itself in the form of additional milk ducts in various parts of the body, starting from the armpits and ending with the inguinal region. During the lactation period, milk may also be secreted from these ducts. Women with polymastia are at risk of developing oncological pathologies. Usually, all signs of the disease are eliminated through surgery.
2. Macromastia - usually manifests itself during pregnancy or puberty and is characterized by a noticeable increase in the mammary glands.
3. Polythelia is an abnormal number of nipples parallel to the mammary glands. Extra nipples are very similar to moles on the body. If they are found, it is necessary to perform an operation to remove them in order to avoid the development of oncology.
4. Amastia is the complete absence of growth and development of one or both mammary glands. In general, the disease does not pose a danger, but for the girl this means that later it will not be possible to carry out breastfeeding.

If the structure of the mammary gland is disturbed or strange seals are present, then this indicates the presence of some kind of pathology. Problems of the female breast should not be ignored. Seeing a doctor is the only right decision in this situation.

The main function of the female mammary glands is to feed offspring, but no one can dispute the fact that to some extent they determine the attractiveness of a woman and even her psychological comfort.

In addition, the female breast is a delicate and sensitive part of the body that requires careful, attentive treatment.

So, what are the features of the female mammary gland: structure and function, tissue ratio, shape, weight?

The breast begins to form even in the womb (about the 5th month), but until the onset of puberty, it remains in its infancy in both boys and girls.

Intensive growth and development of the bust in female adolescents begins at the age of 10-12 years, when the concentration of hormones begins to change in the blood of the future woman.

By the age of 16-17, the bust is already practically formed, although its growth can be observed for another 3-4 years. The structure, shape and size of the breasts in each case are individual - moreover, one breast in a woman may differ from the second.

blood supply

The blood supply to the mammary glands comes from three different blood vessels:

• posterior intercostal arteries;
• internal thoracic artery;
• lateral thoracic artery.

The posterior intercostal vessels provide blood supply to the inner and lateral parts of the chest, but the main artery of the mammary glands is the internal thoracic. Its branches are located near the ribs directly next to the sternum.

The areola and nipple are supplied with blood from the ramifications of the arteries, which form an extensive network in the skin. Venous drainage of the mammary glands is carried out using deep and superficial veins, which are located under the skin and in deeper layers of tissue.

The lymphatic system of the mammary gland performs lymph drainage in several directions, and 30-40 lymph nodes located under the breast, above the collarbones and in the armpits prevent the spread of foreign microorganisms.

A lot of nerve fibers and endings pass through the breast tissue, which causes the so-called irradiation of pain to the chest in diseases of the back and spine.

Breast shape and size

The size of the mammary glands depends on several factors - some of them are laid at birth, and others - throughout the life of a woman:

1. genetic predisposition. The size of the bust is influenced by maternal genes, as well as the genes of other relatives;
2. weight. Breast size depends on the total amount of adipose tissue in the body. Accordingly, when gaining additional kilograms, the mammary glands can increase in size, and in girls who are on strict diets, they decrease. At the same time, with an increase in the amount of adipose tissue, the breast may sag and lose elasticity;
3. anatomical features of the figure. As a rule, in fragile, thin women, the bust is small, and in large women it is quite impressive;
4. hormonal background. Under the influence of hormones, the bust can increase, which happens during pregnancy.

If we talk about the shape of the breast, then there are several classifications that characterize and describe different types of busts.

Types of busts

The generally accepted classification distinguishes the following breast forms:

• disk- the chest has a small height and a wide base;
• hemisphere- the diameter and height of the mammary gland are almost the same;
• cone (pear)- the height of the chest is much greater than the width of the base;
• nipples- the structure is almost identical to the conical shape, but the nipple is directed downwards.

There is a classification that describes not only the shape of the bust, but also the character of its owner. So, the mammary gland in the form of a bud characterizes a woman as an irritable nature, round breasts are inherent in passionate and sensitive girls, an elongated bust - complaisant and soft representatives of the fair sex.

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Lecture on the topic “Structure and functions of the mammary glands”:

Breast shape may change depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle and other factors. During pregnancy, the breast increases, during lactation it becomes even larger, and after feeding the baby, as a rule, it acquires its former shape and size.

The female breast is a complex organ, built in such a way as to provide optimal conditions for the performance of its main physiological functions: the formation of milk and feeding the child. The breast consists of skin, under which the gland itself is hidden, as it is also called, glandular tissue - the very organ in which milk is formed. The glandular tissue (gland) is attached with the help of connective tissue to the muscles of the chest. Around the glandular tissue, between its lobes lies fat - adipose tissue.

The amount of fat in the female breast varies greatly. In some women, breasts are made up almost exclusively of fat. As a result, their breasts can vary greatly in size with fluctuations in body weight. Some women have much more glandular tissue than fat, and the size of their breasts is practically independent of diets and weight. While the growth of adipose tissue can be boosted by abundant nutrition, the growth of glandular tissue is partly controlled by hormones. This explains why breast size can change during the menstrual cycle or after menopause.

Under the mammary gland lies the pectoralis major muscle. The chest seems to be attached to this muscle, but contrary to popular belief, there are no muscles in the chest itself, so it is impossible to increase the size of the chest with the help of physical exercises. You can tighten the surrounding muscles, but this will only increase the volume of the torso and will not affect the size of the chest itself. Of course, it is impossible to tighten sagging breasts with the help of physical exercises.

There is a popular belief that after the breast, as a rule, loses reflex responsiveness. Allegedly, nerves are cut during the cut, as a result of which the chest loses sensitivity and ceases to be erogenous (especially a sensitive area). This is not entirely true. The 4th intercostal nerve is responsible for the sensitivity of the nipple and areola. It passes at the level of the axillary line, branches into two parts and, passing along the circumference of the chest, enters the tissue of the gland. As shown in the picture below.

This nerve is not cut during surgery, however, if the implant is placed incorrectly, or an implant that is too large, this nerve can become trapped between the prosthesis and the chest and become pinched. If the 4th intercostal nerve is pinched or damaged, the breasts may lose sensation. This complication occurs in 21% of women. However, first-class specialists should not have such a marriage.

It would be wrong if scientists stayed away from such an important issue as the correct volume and shape of the female breast. The average parameters of the "ideal" chest were calculated by long measurements of classical and modern sculptures and living models. They took as a basis a woman with a height of 162 cm, aged 17 - 18 years. After much debate, most authors have accepted the following dimensions:

The diameter of the areola averages 3.7 cm (37 mm) and varies from 3.5 to 4.5 cm. The distance between the collarbone and the nipple is on average 21 cm. The distance from the inframammary fold to the nipple is approximately 7 cm.

However, when analyzing the real state of affairs, one can see how far we are from ideals and how contradictory the tastes of various authors regarding the size and volume of the mammary glands are. Some researchers suggest that the volume of the female breast is 275 cubic centimeters (size C) as the optimal one, and larger volumes are considered hypertrophy, i.e. increase relative to the average. However, in the search for the ideal, it is necessary to take into account such features of the body as height, weight, features of the figure, etc. For example, fragile women with a height of 152 - 177 cm and a weight of 45 - 54 kg look harmoniously developed, having a breast volume of 150 - 200 cubic meters. see (size B).

The breast in a woman begins its development from puberty. During this period, the milk ducts inside increase slightly, and starting from the age of 14-15, this process accelerates several times. At the same time, lactocytes grow, glandular and connective tissue increases, lobules form and increase in number, the areola and nipple become dark. Full maturation of the gland ends after pregnancy and breastfeeding.

The chest is covered with smooth skin. In the center are the areola and nipple, where there are sweat and sebaceous glands.

The internal structure of the female breast (the ratio of tissues at different ages) can be seen in the photo:

1. Glandular tissue (alveoli).
2. Adipose and connective tissue.
3. ducts.

One of the main components is the alveolus, which in its structure resembles a bubble. Its internal structure consists of specific cells, and the main function is the appearance and production of milk. Each alveolus is lined with nerve endings and small vessels. Connecting together, they form a slice. A total of up to 80 such lobules form a share, of which there are up to twenty in the female breast. Each has a duct, the end of which goes into the nipple. Through them, mother's milk is supplied to the child. Muscle fibers located in the areola are responsible for the erection of the nipple.

Between the lobes themselves there is a connective tissue that forms the framework of the mammary gland. It is attached to the pectoral muscles, which consist of the large, small and intercostal muscles.

Characteristics of the female breast

Adipose tissue is located around the glandular tissue, and its amount increases or decreases depending on changes in the woman's weight. The percentage ratio of these two tissue structures is different for each. Some adipose tissue can be much larger than glandular. This leads to the fact that when losing weight or increasing body weight, the breast changes its shape. If a woman is dominated by glandular tissue, such obvious changes do not occur.

If adipose tissue grows depending on nutrition, then the development of glandular tissue largely depends on the hormonal background, and its increase does not depend on diets or dietary changes. This explains the change in breast shape at different periods of the menstrual cycle.
The female mammary gland does not contain muscles. Therefore, it is impossible to change the shape of the breast with the help of physical exercises.

The size and shape of the breast varies from woman to woman. It depends on many factors and can change throughout life. The shape of the breast depends on the elasticity and strength of the connective tissue. It envelops the mammary glands and attaches the entire chest to the pectoral muscle group.

There are such forms:

1. Discoid - a wide volume at the base and a small height.
2. Hemispherical - the coincidence of the height and diameter of the chest.
3. Pear-shaped (conical) - the height is greater than the diameter of the base.
4. The mastoid is similar to the previous form, but the entire gland is lowered and the nipple looks down.

A slight asymmetry of the mammary glands in women is normal. The left breast is usually slightly larger than the right. They may not be at the same height, which is associated with the attachment of the connective tissue and muscles of the chest. A small difference is considered the norm, and there is nothing terrible about it.

Hormones that affect breast growth

Many people think that a group of certain muscles affects the shape and growth of the breast. This is not so, and these processes are controlled only by hormones. It is impossible to lift the chest with the help of a set of exercises for the muscles of the chest. They will help increase the volume of the chest. But this muscle group is not directly related to the shape and structure of the mammary gland.

More than 15 hormones influence the development of the breast (its shape, volume). The main ones are considered to be:

• Estrogens. They are responsible for the normal development of ducts and connective tissue. It is on their number that the density and elasticity of the latter depends, which prevents the mammary gland from descending.
• Progesterone. An increase in the number of alveoli, the development of glandular tissue, the growth of lobules is controlled by this hormone. Its production begins during puberty.
• Prolactin is a hormone that is actively released while a woman is breastfeeding. Causes the growth of epithelial cells.

The mammary glands of women act as a magnet for many hormones. Their development is also influenced by their other types produced by the endocrine system (insulin, corticosteroids). Therefore, the action of many of them has not been thoroughly studied. But it has been proven that diseases (cyst, fibroadenoma, malignant neoplasms) appear as a result of hormonal failure in the body.

Changes in the female breast before and after childbirth

The culmination of the development of the female mammary gland is pregnancy and lactation. At this point, significant changes occur in the female breast, which is primarily associated with hormonal changes.

It is important to remember that the shape of this part of the female body does not affect the amount of milk. So, a woman with large breasts does not always produce enough of it. The quantity and quality of milk is affected by the hormonal background, which changes in the prenatal and postnatal period.

prenatal period

After conception, the body of the expectant mother changes the hormonal background, which causes the mammary gland to prepare for the lactation period. Many expectant mothers notice a change in the shape of the breast (its increase) already at the 2nd month of pregnancy. The increase in mass is due to a strong blood flow to the glands, which leads to the growth and enlargement of the alveoli. The closer the term of childbirth approaches, the more often a woman can feel a pulsation, swelling of the mammary glands. From the 20th week of pregnancy, colostrum is secreted from the nipple. This is normal. The nipples and areolas themselves change shape and become dark.

postpartum period

After the baby is born, doctors practice early attachment to the breast. This is necessary for the normal production of milk. It is the first sucking of the baby that sends signals to the brain and causes the pituitary gland to produce hormones (oxytocin and prolactin), which controls its production in the required amount.

The first mother's milk appears on the second day after birth, and perhaps the mother will need to express. But gradually its quantity is normalized.

If the hormonal background develops normally in the postpartum period, then the mammary gland will produce exactly as much milk as the baby needs for this period. Therefore, women do not need to express. The mammary gland itself regulates the amount of product for the next feeding.

But if there is a failure in hormones, then there will be much more milk than the child needs. In such cases, pumping is a normal procedure. This helps to avoid the development of inflammation in the mammary gland.

Pumping is also used to provide the baby with milk if the mother needs to be away for a while. But here it is important to properly store the cooked product.

Expression of breast milk is also used to increase its quantity. This process causes the mammary gland to produce enough of it. So, after each feeding, pumping occurs.

This sends a signal to the brain that more milk is needed for the next feeding. Pumping a woman's breasts produces enough milk.

Doctors say that the structure and possible diseases of the mammary gland are a mirror of the hormonal state of the whole organism. If a woman notices changes in this organ (seals, pain, swelling), then it is worth contacting a mammologist as soon as possible to find out the cause of such changes.

Every woman, in order to prevent the development of diseases of the mammary glands, should know how the female breast is arranged and what it consists of.

The process of formation and development of the breast occurs as the girl grows up. So, during its period, milk ducts begin to develop in the mammary glands, which only partially penetrate directly into the body of the mammary gland.

As you know, the main function of the female breast, as in all mammals, is to feed offspring with breast milk.

Each breast of a woman has the same composition and a rather complex device. It consists of 15-20 cloves and a network of milk ducts, which in appearance is very similar to a bunch of grapes, where the glands play the role of berries, and the stems are a network of ducts. On palpation of a healthy breast, the mammary glands are palpated as small nodules or bumps, which are easiest to detect before menstruation, since the breast swells a little at this moment.

The space between the individual lobes of the mammary glands is filled with both connective and adipose tissues. At the same time, the breast of a young girl contains more glandular tissue, which explains its elasticity. If the female breast is rather soft, then this indirectly indicates the predominance of adipose tissue in it.

The mammary gland itself is practically devoid of muscles, with the exception of the nipples. All of it is completely permeated with a large number of intertwined Cooper's ligaments, which form the so-called flexible frame of the female breast.

The dark area around the nipple is called the areola. It gradually increases in size with the growth of the breast. As a rule, in this area there are also small tubercles - Montgomery's glands. Their role is to produce a secret that prevents the nipple from drying out and cracking.

Nipple, in your turn, has several small holes through which milk is released during lactation. Normally, it is round or cylindrical in shape. In some cases, the nipple of the female breast may be flat or pulled inward, which does not interfere with feeding, in which the baby pulls it out.

A feature of the female breast is that it is often not symmetrical. One of the mammary glands may be smaller or slightly lower in relation to the other.

The condition of the female breast and its appearance changes with age and during the termination of which the breast changes shape.