1. Anatomy and Physiology— Breast
Function: milk production and sexual pleasure
Tail of Spence
Cooper’s ligaments
Nipple
Lactiferous ducts
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2. Anatomy and Physiology— Breast
Areola
Montgomery’s tubercles
Lobes
Lobules
Alveoli or acini
Lymphatic drainage
Axillary nodes: central, pectoral, subscapular, lateral
Internal mammary chain

3. Assessment Assess the following areas Breasts Areolar areas Nipples
Axillae
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4. Assessment Assess the following characteristics Color Vascularity
Thickening/edema
Size and symmetry
Contour
Lesions/masses
Discharge

5. Normal Findings Breast and axillae are flesh colored
Areolar areas and nipples are darker in pigmentation
Moles and nevi are normal variants
No thickening or edema
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6. Normal Findings Minor size variation in the breasts and areolar areas
Usually breast on dominant side is larger
Nipples should point upward and outward, may point outward and downward
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7. Normal Findings Breasts, areolar areas, nipples should be symmetrical
Breasts are convex, without flattening, retractions, or dimpling
Free from masses, tumors, primary or secondary lesions
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8. Normal Findings
No discharge from nipples in nonpregnant, nonlactating female
Usually, palpable lymph nodes less than 1 cm in diameter are clinically insignificant
Palpation should not elicit pain
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9. Normal Findings
Consistency of breast tissue is highly variable depending upon age, time in menstrual cycle, and proportion of adipose tissue
Breasts are usually nodular or granular prior to menses
Variation with breast augmentation— breasts feel fluid filled or firm throughout