Breast Health and Disease
Anatomy of the Breasts
The breast is a gland enclosed in its own sheath (covering). It sits on the chest wall and is composed of many different tissue types. Each breast has 15 to 20 sections, called lobes that are arranged like the spokes of a wheel. Each lobe has many smaller lobules, which end in dozens of tiny bulbs that can produce milk.
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The lobes, lobules, and bulbs are linked by thin tubes called ducts and are lined by lobular and ductal epithelial cells. The ducts lead to the nipple in the center of a dark area of skin called the areola. Adipose (fat) tissue, connective tissue, blood and lymph vessels fill the spaces between lobules and ducts.
There are no muscles in the breast, but muscles lie under each breast and cover the ribs. Each breast also contains blood vessels and vessels that carry lymph. The lymph vessels lead to small bean-shaped organs called lymph nodes, cluster of which are found under the arm, above the collarbone, and in the chest, as well as in many other parts of the body.