Breast/Chest and Regional Lymphatics Lecture – Vocabulary Flashcards

42 vocabulary flashcards covering anatomy, physiology, examination techniques, pathologies, risk factors, and clinical terminology from the breast/chest and regional lymphatics lecture.

AFAB Mammary Tissue – External Boundaries

Extends from the 2nd to the 6th ribs and from the sternal edge to the mid-axillary line.

Tail of Spence

The superior-lateral extension of breast tissue that projects into the axilla; common site of malignancy.

Glandular Tissue

Active breast tissue arranged into 15–20 lobes surrounding the nipple and responsible for milk production.

Breast Lobes

Individual units of glandular tissue (15–20 per breast) each drained by its own duct toward the nipple.

Suspensory (Cooper’s) Ligaments

Fibrous bands that provide structural support to breast tissue; can be shortened by tumors causing dimpling.

Adipose Tissue (Breast)

Fatty tissue that predominates the breast and largely determines overall breast size and contour.

Breast Quadrants

Clinical mapping system dividing each breast into upper inner, upper outer, lower inner, and lower outer sections.

Axillary Tail

Another term for the Tail of Spence—the portion of breast tissue that extends toward the armpit.

Central Axillary Nodes

Lymph nodes located high in the axilla that receive drainage from the other three axillary node groups.

Pectoral (Anterior) Nodes

Lymph nodes along the pectoralis major muscle, receiving lymph from the anterior chest and most of the breast.

Subscapular (Posterior) Nodes

Nodes along the posterior axillary fold that drain the posterior chest wall and part of the arm.

Lateral Axillary Nodes

Nodes along the humerus that drain most of the arm and ultimately empty into the central axillary nodes.

Supernumerary Nipple

An extra nipple or small breast along the embryologic "milk line"; usually benign and asymptomatic.

Milk Line

Embryologic ridge extending from axilla to groin where accessory nipples or breast tissue may develop.

Tanner Stage 1

Pre-adolescent breast; only the nipple is elevated.

Tanner Stage 2

Breast-bud stage; small mound of breast and nipple with enlarged areolar diameter.

Tanner Stage 3

Further enlargement of breast and areola without separation of contours.

Tanner Stage 4

Projection of areola and nipple forming a secondary mound above the breast.

Tanner Stage 5

Mature breast; only the nipple projects and the areola recesses to the general breast contour.

AMAB Mammary Tissue

Rudimentary thin disc of tissue under the nipple; areola well developed, nipple small.

Gynecomastia

Benign enlargement of AMAB breast tissue, often during adolescence or with aging/testosterone deficiency.

Peau d’orange

Edematous, orange-peel skin with enlarged pores signifying possible inflammatory breast cancer or lymphatic obstruction.

Paget’s Disease of Nipple

Eczematous, scaling or ulcerated nipple/areola lesion associated with underlying carcinoma.

Skin Retraction/Dimpling

Inward pulling of skin over a tumor due to traction on Cooper’s ligaments; suggests malignancy.

Breast/Chest Self-Awareness

Routine personal familiarity with one’s own breast tissue to recognize changes early; endorsed by NCCN, ACS, USPSTF, ACOG.

Fibroadenoma

Common benign breast mass (age 15-25), round/firm, well-delineated, very mobile, usually non-tender.

Fibrocystic Breast Disease

Benign, generalized nodularity with cysts (age 30-50); breasts feel dense, mobile cysts often tender.

Mammary Carcinoma

Malignant breast tumor, usually single, irregular, firm/hard, poorly delineated, may be fixed; upper outer quadrant most common in AFAB.

Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS)

Stage 0 breast cancer confined to the ductal system; non-invasive but can progress if untreated.

AFAB Non-Modifiable Risk Factors

Female sex, age >50, personal or family history of breast CA, BRCA1/2 mutation, early menarche (

AFAB Modifiable Risk Factors

Nulliparity or first child after 30, combined HRT, alcohol ≥2 drinks/day, physical inactivity, post-menopausal obesity, never breast-feeding.

AMAB Breast Cancer Risk Factors

Age >60, family history, BRCA mutations, estrogen exposure (e.g., prostate therapy, gender-affirming hormones), Klinefelter’s syndrome, liver disease, obesity, testicular disease/surgery.

Palpation Patterns

Systematic methods—vertical strips, concentric circles, spokes-on-a-wheel, or wedges—to ensure complete breast coverage.

Bimanual Palpation

Two-hand technique useful for large pendulous breasts or to better delineate deep masses.

Clock-Face Documentation

Recording lesion location by imagining the breast as a clock (e.g., "2 o’clock, 3 cm from nipple").

Seven Lump Descriptors

Location, size, shape, consistency, mobility, distinctness, associated skin/nipple/lymph changes.

Breast Exam Equipment

Small pillow for positioning and a centimeter-marked ruler or caliper for measuring lesions.

Retraction Maneuver

Inspecting breasts as patient presses hands on hips or leans forward to reveal subtle skin tethering.

Breast ROS

Review of systems items: pain, lump, nipple discharge, skin changes/rash, swelling, trauma, inversion.

Breast PMH

Past medical history relevant to breast: prior diseases, surgeries (reduction, augmentation, mastectomy), biopsies, lymph node removal, genetic testing.

Axillary Node Palpation Technique

Support patient’s arm; reach high into axilla, palpate down mid-axillary, anterior, posterior lines and inner upper arm for nodes or tenderness.

Common Signs of Breast Cancer

New lump, nipple discharge (especially bloody), retracted nipple, skin dimpling or redness, swelling, pain, enlarged axillary/clavicular node.

Optimal Exam Position

Patient seated with arms at sides for inspection, then supine with small pillow under shoulder to flatten breast for palpation.