For March, the Med-Hive community has chosen as a theme Women's health, I invite you to join the participation, here is the link.
Our body is our faithful companion, it accompanies us everywhere without us being aware of it. It is mandatory to know its structures and its main functions, to familiarize ourselves with its strengths and weaknesses, only in this way we will be able to develop our daily life properly. If due to some condition, it becomes maladjusted (disease), we will be limited in our activities, because we will not be able to do so. Consequently, we need him to be healthy.
This wonder of creation, yes, our body, is sometimes mistreated, neglected, and misunderstood by our inadequate habits. And in derivation it expresses itself, with sensations, signs, and symptoms; because our structures, organs, glands, tissues, and cells work in total harmony, being in most cases, our actions the ones that unbalance and overload.
Let us then continue the journey through our bodies. In this opportunity, we will travel in the knowledge related to female breasts. We will discuss the basic structural definitions, functioning, and care to keep them healthy.
Breast and Adjacent Lymph Nodes. Internal structure.
Credit: Don Bliss Public Domain.
The breasts, a very important part of the female body, are present in pairs, one on each side of the anterior chest wall. One breast is slightly larger or different from the other and this is normal. The shape is hemispherical in young adult women, but they become pendulous in later life. Their weight is variable, usually in the range of 500 and 1000 grams for each breast. They serve nutritional (lactation), aesthetic (attractive property), and sexual (provide pleasure) functions.
They are formed by different types of tissue: glandular (lobules and mammary ducts) produce milk, fibrous or connective (ligaments and scar tissue) keep the other tissues in place, and adipose (fat) is responsible for the size of the breasts. Lymph nodes, blood vessels, and nerves are also present.
It is necessary to clarify that the existing muscles in this area connect the breasts to the ribs (bony structure) but are not part of the breast, i.e. there is no muscle in the breasts.
The internal and external structure of the breast. Front view.
Credit: NCI NIH Public Domain.
For didactic purposes and better understanding, let's talk about a non-visible part (lobules and mammary ducts) visible (nipples and areolas).
These are sac-like glands surrounding the nipple, arranged in clusters. The lobules divide into lobules (smaller) and end in small bulbs that produce milk. Each breast has approximately 15 to 20 lobules.
These are thin, branching tubes that carry milk from the lobules to the nipples.
Located in the center of the areola. Each nipple contains about nine milk ducts and nerves. The minimum length of the nipple necessary for successful breastfeeding is about seven millimeters. There is variability in the shape of nipples, they can be flat, short, and even inverted, which can make breastfeeding difficult for some women.
This is the circular, darker area of skin surrounding the nipple. It contains Montgomery's glands or tubercles, which during lactation produce an oily secretion that lubricates the nipple and surrounding skin to prevent cracking of the nipple and areola.
The shape, size, and color of the nipple and areola vary considerably from one woman to another.
A diagram of the mammary gland.
Credit: NIH Public Domain.
They are part of the lymphatic system. They are small organs distributed throughout the body, are bean-shaped, and help fight infection. Protection is provided by the production and filtration of lymph (colorless fluid) containing white blood cells (cells responsible for defending against infection). The lymph nodes that protect the breast are mainly located in the armpit, clavicle area, neck, and thorax.
The mammary glands are extremely vascular organs. The blood vessels in this area allow blood to circulate throughout the breasts, thorax, and the entire body. They provide oxygen to the breast tissue and remove wastes.
Hundreds of nerve endings are found in the breasts, making them very sensitive to touch and arousal.
Internal structure of the breast. Side view.
Credit: Mikael Häggström Public Domain.
Female hormones (estrogen, prolactin, and progesterone) have important functions in the breasts:
Examining our breasts helps us to become familiar with their appearance and characteristics, as well as to educate our fingers so that they can detect any eventuality early. It only takes a few minutes. You can do it lying in bed, taking a shower, or in front of the mirror.
Ladies, we should perform breast self-examination every month and be observant, and vigilant in the presence of "changes", to seek help and timely assessment.
Diagram made in canva (with its royalty-free elements).
If you are of childbearing age, self-examination should be performed approximately 10 days after menstruation. If you are of menopausal age, choose a fixed day per month.
Observe the breasts, their size, and their shape, looking for changes in skin texture, such as dimpling, puckering, lumps, or rashes. Also, look for nipple discharge or inverted nipples.
With your fingertips, gently palpate each breast in three directions: circles, lines, and wedges.The purpose is to get used to feeling and recognizing your breasts. This will help you find something new or different.
Knowing and becoming familiar with our breasts is fundamental to understanding and applying prevention.
A good diet with fresh foods will always help maintain a healthy body, including the skin and its elasticity.
Practicing physical exercise strengthens the pectoral muscles (thorax region).
It is suggested not to wear a bra at bedtime so that circulation is not affected.
Maintain good hydration and apply moisturizing and nourishing creams, preferably after bathing.
The bra should be chosen prioritizing comfort. The design, size, and material should be carefully selected, according to the volume of the breasts. The bra should provide good support without constricting.
Maintain correct postural hygiene.
Be constant in the visits to the health specialist.
Credit: Tungnguyen22 Public domain
Thank you for your visit.
In our next meeting, we will talk about the most common cancer in women worldwide. Yes, breast cancer.
Bibliographic references consulted
-Cleveland Clinic. Breast anatomy. [Internet]. 2020. [quoted 2023 March] Available at
-Cleveland Clinic. Breast self-exam. [Internet]. 2021. [quoted 2023 March] Available at
-Johns Hopkins University. Anatomy & physiology of the breast. [Internet]. 2023. [quoted 2023 March] Available at
-Khan Y., Sajjad H. Anatomy, thorax, mammary gland. [Internet]. 2022. [quoted 2023 March] Available at
-McCool W., Stone-Condry M., Bradford H. Breast health care: a review. 1999 [Internet]. [quoted 2023 March] Available at
-Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK). Anatomy of the breast. [Internet]. 2023 [quoted 2023 March] Available at
-PACE Hospitals. Breast Self Examination. [Internet]. 2023. [quoted 2023 March] Available at
-Rivard A., Galarza-Paez L., Peterson D. Anatomy, Thorax, Breast. [Internet]. 2022. [quoted 2023 March] Available at
About the cover: is an original production made with the program Canva (free version), using royalty-free elements. The avatar is a product of a photograph of my property, processed with the Toonlab application. An image was included in the cover, this is the source.The written production has been created exclusively for this participation.
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