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Anatomy of the Lactating Breast 1. Cooper’s Ligaments Provides support and a frame work for the glandular and fatty tissue 2. Retromammary Fat Fat pad at the back of the breast, at the chest wall 3. Glandular Tissue The part of the breast that makes the milk 4. Intraglandular Fat Fatty tissue that is intermingled with the glandular tissue 5. Subcutaneous Fat Fatty tissue that lies just under the skin 6. Main Milk Duct The milk ducts that lead into the nipple 7. Milk Duct The ducts throughout the breast that transport the milk from the glandular tissue to the main milk ducts Glandular and Fatty Tissue • The ratio of glandular to fat tissue in the lactating breast is 2:1. • 65% of the glandular tissue is located in a 30 mm radius from the base of the nipple. • Fatty tissue is found in three areas: - Retromammary. - Intraglandular. - Subcutaneous. • The intraglandular fat is mixed with the glandular tissue and is difficult to separate. • Subcutaneous fat is minimal at the base of the nipple. Ductal Network • The ductal anatomy is similar for each breast but can vary greatly between women. • The main function of the ducts is the transport, not storage, of milk. • The ductal network is complex and the milk ducts are not always arranged in a radial or symmetrical pattern. • Resting duct diameter can differ greatly between women (range 1 – 4.4 mm). • The ducts expand in diameter at milk ejection (average 58%). Main Milk Ducts • The main milk ducts at the base of the nipple are: - Approximately 2 mm in diameter. - Superficial. - Branching close to the nipple. • The conventionally described lactiferous sinuses behind the nipple do not exist. • The range of milk ducts exiting the nipple is 4 – 18. These diagrams are based on research conducted at The University of Western Australia • Presented in: Ramsay DT, Kent JC, Hartmann RA and Hartmann PE (2005) • Anatomy of the lactating human breast redefined with ultrasound imaging • Journal of Anatomy, 206:525-534 www.medela.com Medela, Inc., 1101 Corporate Drive, P.O. Box 660, McHenry, IL 60051-0660 Phone: (800) 435-8316 or (815) 363-1166 Fax: (815) 363-1246 Email: [email protected] Medela is a registered trademark and #1 Choice of Hospitals and Mothers is a trademark of Medela, Inc. 1547541 B 1209 © 2009 Medela, Inc.
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