Breast/lymphatic

Paired mammary glands located over the anterior chest wall

Breast

Muscle over which the breast primarily lies

Pectoralis major

Muscle also underlying the breast laterally

Serratus anterior

Vertical anatomical extent of the breast

2nd to 6th rib

Horizontal anatomical extent of the breast

Sternum to mid-axillary line

Hormones responsible for enlargement of female breasts

Estrogen and progesterone

Method of dividing the breast using imaginary lines intersecting at the nipple

Quadrant method

Most common site for breast tumors

Upper outer quadrant

Extension of breast tissue into the axilla

Tail of Spencer

System responsible for infection defense and fluid balance

Lymphatic system

Structures that filter microorganisms and return protein and fluid to the blood

Lymph nodes

Central structure of the breast containing duct openings

Nipple

Pigmented area surrounding the nipple

Areola

Glands in the areola that secrete protective lipids

Montgomery glands

Study related to development in pregnancy

Embryology

Tissue responsible for milk production

Glandular tissue

Tissue that provides structural support to the breast

Fibrous tissue

Ligaments that support breast tissue

Cooper’s ligaments

Tissue that determines breast size and shape

Fatty tissue

Assessment tool used to structure subjective data

COLDSPA

Nature of the symptom in assessment

Character

When the symptom began

Onset

Pinpointing the exact location of the problem

Location

How long the symptom lasts

Duration

Rating the intensity of the symptom

Severity

Timing or recurrence of the symptom

Pattern

Other symptoms accompanying the main complaint

Associated factors

Method of data collection involving observation

Inspection

Method of assessment involving use of hands

Palpation

Position used during breast examination

Supine position

Assessment of size, symmetry, and skin changes

Inspection

Assessment of masses, tenderness, and temperature

Palpation

Normal lymph nodes are small, movable, and

Non-tender

Enlarged, hard, fixed lymph nodes may indicate

Infection or malignancy

Condition in males with firm movable breast mass during puberty

Gynecomastia

Recommended self-exam for women in their 20s

Breast self-examination (BSE)

Best time to perform BSE with regular cycles

3–7 days after menstruation

Most effective method of breast examination

Vertical strip method

Method of palpation moving in circular motion from areola outward

Circular method

Technique using both hands for large breasts

Bimanual technique

Orange peel-like appearance of the breast skin

Peau d’orange

Condition caused by lymphatic blockage leading to edema

Lymphatic obstruction

Benign condition with cystic, tender, movable masses

Fibrocystic breast disease

Rare breast cancer with scaly, itchy rash

Paget’s disease

Nipple inversion present since birth

Congenital retraction

Nipple inversion that develops over time

Acquired retraction

Skin pulled inward due to tissue contraction

Retracted breast tissue

Skin indentation suggesting possible malignancy

Breast dimpling

Irregular, hard, poorly defined masses

Cancerous tumors

Benign tumor that is round, firm, and mobile

Fibroadenoma