Recognizing the anatomy of a woman's breasts can help you understand more about breast function. The reason is, the various tissues that make up the anatomy of the breast have their respective roles, both for breastfeeding and increasing sexual arousal.
Breasts are part of the sexual anatomy, both female and male. However, the anatomy of the female breast is slightly different from that of the male. In women, the breasts have special ducts and glands that function for breastfeeding.
The Tissue That Constructs the Anatomy of a Woman's Breast
Breast tissue begins to develop early in fetal life, along with milk ducts that originate in the armpit. Here are some of the tissues that make up the anatomy of the breast and their functions:
- Fat tissue, to determine the shape and size of a woman's breasts
- Connective tissue and ligaments, to maintain the anatomical structure of the breast
- Nerves, to increase sexual arousal
- Lymph nodes, to produce milk
- Blood vessels, to drain blood containing oxygen and nutrients to the breasts, chest, and body
The growth of female breasts begins at puberty. Although the growth of breast size varies from woman to woman, the mammary glands are composed of the same structure and almost the same amount of milk-producing tissue.
Based on its location, the anatomy of the female breast consists of two parts, the anatomy of the outer breast and the anatomy of the inner breast.
Anatomy of the Outer Breast and its Function
The anatomy of the outer breast consists of:
areola
The areola is a circular area in the center of the breast that is darker in color and surrounds the nipple. Areola have glands called Montgomery glands which function to lubricate the skin of the breast and protect the nipple and skin from blisters when breastfeeding.
During pregnancy, the areola can get bigger and look darker along with the stimulation of the hormone estrogen.
Nipples
The nipple is round, small, and protrudes in the center of the areola. Each nipple has a nerve and is connected to nine ducts to expel milk.
Anatomy of the Inner Breast and its Function
Meanwhile, the anatomy of the inner breast consists of:
Lobe
The normal female breast has 15-20 lobes. This breast lobe will be further divided into smaller parts called lobules.
Lobules
In each lobe, there are lobules or breast glands. These lobules play an important role in producing milk during lactation.
Duct
The milk produced by the lobes and lobules will be carried through milk ducts called ducts. This channel allows milk to be expelled through the nipple.
Medical Conditions That Can Happen to the Breast
The condition of breast health is one of the important things that women must pay attention to. The reason, about 1 in 8 women have a risk of breast cancer. In addition to cancer, there are several types of disorders or diseases that can also affect breast health, including:
- Benign breast tumors, such as fibroadenoma
- Mastitis, an infection of the breast tissue
- A lump or mass in the breast, such as a fibrocystic or breast cyst
- Milk duct ectasia (swollen milk ducts)
- Discharge from the nipple
- Breast pain, such as mastalgia
- Breast rash
To detect any abnormalities or changes in your breasts, you need to routinely perform a breast self-examination (BSE) every month after your period is over. Regularly doing BSE can help you detect breast cancer early.
If you notice any changes in your breasts, such as lumps, swelling, changes in the shape or size of your breasts, or a rash around your nipples, don't hesitate to consult your doctor.
The doctor will examine the anatomy of your breast and provide appropriate treatment to prevent more serious conditions.