P.E Breast and Axillae

Structure of the Male Breast
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF THE BREAST
●​ Small nipple and areola overlying a thin disk
Structure of the Female Breast of undeveloped breast tissue
●​ Located on the Anterior thoracic wall, ●​ Gynecomastia (Enlargement of Male Breast
extending from the clavicle to the Tissue):
inframammary fold ○​ Causes:
●​ Composed of glandular tissue, fibrous ■​ Hormonal Imbalances
connective tissue, and fat. ■​ Certain Medications
●​ Divided into four quadrants for assessment: ■​ Liver Disease
○​ Upper Outer Quadrant- Most ○​ Appearance: Can be confused with
Common site for breast cancer obesity but requires medical
○​ Upper Inner Quadrant evaluation
○​ Lower Outer Quadrant
○​ Lower Inner Quadrant
●​ Tail of Spence: Extension of breast tissue
into the axilla, often included in cancer
screening
●​ Milk Line: Embryonic ridge from the axilla to
the groin where extra nipples
(supernumerary nipples) may develop




Lymphatic Drainage of the Breast
●​ Most breast lymph drains into the axillary
lymph nodes
●​ Axillary Lymph nodes:
○​ Central Nodes- most palpable,
●​ Supernumerary Nipple (Extra Nipple) located deep in the axilla
○​ Appears along the milk line ○​ Pectoral Nodes- Located along the
○​ Only a small nipple and areolar are chest wall
present ○​ Lateral Nodes- Located along the
○​ Can be mistaken for a mole but has humerus
no pathological significance ○​ Subscapular Nodes- Located along
the posterior chest wall