Anatomy of female breast

Each breast has a number of sections lobules that branch out from the nipple. Each lobule holds tiny, hollow sacs alveoli. The lobules are linked by a network of thin tubes ducts. If you're breast-feeding, ducts carry milk from the alveoli toward the dark area of skin in the center of the breast areola. From the areola, the ducts join together into larger ducts ending at the nipple.

The breasts are a pair of milk-producing organs of the female reproductive system located on the left and right sides of the anterior thoracic chest region. Each breast projects outward from the anterior of the chest as a mass of skin-covered soft tissue. At the tip of the breast is a small cylindrical projection of erectile tissue called the nipple. The nipple is bordered by a ring of thickened, bumpy skin called the areola. Both the nipple and areola are highly pigmented compared to the surrounding skin of the breast, resulting in a darkened appearance. Internally, each breast is made of many mammary glands arranged into a radial pattern around the nipple.

As you learn about breast cancer, we will repeatedly reference the anatomy of the breast. Understanding the different parts and functions will help you better grasp the details of breast cancer. The female breast is mostly made up of a collection of fat cells called adipose tissue. This tissue extends from the collarbone down to the underarm and across to the middle of the ribcage.

The breasts are specialised organs, which are located on the anterior chest wall. The female breast is more developed than the male breast, as their primary function is to produce milk for nutrition of the infant and baby. There are lots of glands in our breasts, which grow and develop during puberty and maturation. Female hormones such as oestrogen and progesterone are important in promoting growth and changes that occur in the breast, especially during pregnancy and the menstrual cycle.