Breast (anatomy)

The breast is a region of the upper front torso containing skin, connective tissue, fat, and mammary glands. Its structure varies with age, hormones, and reproductive state.

Mammary gland: A milk-producing gland composed of branching ducts and secretory lobules. Its ducts and lobules form the breast’s milk-producing tissue.
Lactogenesis: The physiological process by which mammary glands begin producing milk. It describes how breast tissue becomes milk-secreting after pregnancy.
Breast imaging: Medical imaging methods used to examine breast tissue and identify abnormalities. Anatomical layers and tissue density shape how breast images are interpreted.
Gynecomastia: Benign enlargement of glandular breast tissue in males, often associated with hormonal changes. It shows that mammary tissue is present in all sexes, though development differs.
Adipose tissue: Connective tissue specialized for storing energy as fat and cushioning organs. Fat makes up much of breast volume and helps shape its contour.
Prolactin: A pituitary hormone that stimulates milk production in the mammary glands. It drives milk synthesis in the glandular tissue.
Mammography: Low-dose X-ray imaging used to examine the breast, especially for cancer screening. It distinguishes glandular, fatty, and abnormal tissue in the breast.
Poland syndrome: A congenital condition involving underdevelopment or absence of chest muscles, sometimes with breast and hand abnormalities. It illustrates how chest-wall development can alter breast appearance.
Cooper's ligaments: Fibrous connective-tissue bands that extend through the breast and attach its skin to deeper structures. These bands provide internal support and help maintain breast shape.
Oxytocin: A hormone that causes milk ejection by contracting cells around mammary alveoli. It moves milk from secretory tissue into the ducts.

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