Breasts and Regional Lymphatics Medical Flashcards

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering the anatomy, developmental changes, subjective history, and clinical abnormalities of the breasts and regional lymphatics based on lecture materials.

Breast Cancer Screening Mammography

Annual screening recommended starting at age $40$.

BRCA1 and BRCA2

Tumor suppressor genes; a mutation on one or both genes puts an individual at higher risk for breast cancer.

Axillary tail of Spence

The upper outer quadrant of the breast where tumors are most likely to occur.

Breast Self-Examination (BSE) Timing

The best time to perform this is right after the menstrual period (day $4$ to $7$ of the cycle), when breasts are smallest and least congested.

Supernumerary nipple

A normal congenital variation characterized by an extra nipple along the embryonic "milk line" on the thorax or abdomen.

Gynecomastia

A benign growth of undeveloped breast tissue in males that feels like a smooth, firm, movable fibrous mass; it is common and temporary during puberty.

Witch’s milk

A clear or white fluid that may be secreted from a neonate's enlarged breasts due to maternal estrogen; it typically resolves within a few days to weeks.

Breast budding

One of the first signs of puberty in girls, usually beginning between $8$ and $10$ years of age.

Tanner staging

The record used to document the stages of breast development during growth.

Colostrum

Pre-milk fluid that changes to milk production around the third postpartum day.

Nipple soreness (Lactation)

Normal irritation appearing around the $20\text{th}$ nursing and lasting $24$ to $48$ hours.

Postmenopausal breast changes

Decreased ovarian secretion of estrogen and progesterone causes glandular tissue to atrophy and be replaced with fibrous connective tissue, leading to decreased size and elasticity.

Mastitis

Inflammation of breast tissue resulting in pain, swelling, redness, and warmth; most common in breastfeeding women.

Dimpling

A sign of skin retraction that may be apparent at rest, with compression, or with lifting of the arms.

Nipple Retraction

A flatter and broader appearance of the nipple; a recent occurrence suggests cancer, unlike long-standing inversion.

Paget Disease (Intraductal Carcinoma)

A condition involving a unilateral yellow or bloody discharge, dry scaling crusts, and symptoms of tingling, burning, or itching on the nipple and areola.

Peau d'Orange

Edema that thickens the skin and exaggerates hair follicles, creating a pigskin or orange-peel appearance, often beginning beneath the areola.

Characteristics of Lump: Movability

Assessment of whether a lump is freely movable or fixed when sliding it over the chest wall.