Micromastia

Micromastia is unusually limited breast development, resulting in breasts that are very small relative to typical development. It may be present from puberty or follow changes in hormones, health, or breast tissue.

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Breast development: The growth and maturation of breast tissue, especially during puberty and pregnancy. Micromastia describes an outcome of limited development within this process.
Hypogonadism: Reduced production of sex hormones by the gonads, which can delay or limit sexual development. Low estrogen from hypogonadism can restrict breast development during puberty.
Breast asymmetry: A difference in size, shape, or position between the two breasts. Micromastia can affect both breasts, while asymmetry describes a difference between them.
Physical examination: Assessment of the body through inspection, palpation, and other bedside techniques. Clinicians assess breast development, symmetry, and associated physical signs.
Thelarche: The onset of breast development, usually the first visible sign of puberty in girls. Its timing and progression help distinguish delayed development from persistently small breast size.
Turner syndrome: A chromosomal condition in which one X chromosome is absent or altered in some or all cells. Ovarian insufficiency in Turner syndrome can limit estrogen-dependent breast development.
Polymastia: The presence of additional breast tissue or nipples beyond the usual pair. It is an excess of breast tissue rather than unusually limited development.
Endocrine evaluation: Clinical investigation of hormone-related symptoms using history, examination, and laboratory tests. It can identify hormonal causes when breast development is limited or puberty is atypical.
Estrogen: A group of hormones that promotes female-pattern sexual development and affects breast tissue. Estrogen supports the ductal growth involved in typical breast development.
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia: A group of inherited disorders that impair adrenal steroid hormone production. Some forms alter sex-hormone balance and may affect pubertal development.