Course: Advance Massage Techniques, Pregnancy and Infant Massage
BREAST
Prepared by:
MAYETH GALERA
ERP 2nd year Massage Therapy
Student
Course: Advance Massage Techniques, Pregnancy and Infant Massage
The purpose of this report is to explore and understand the function of
the breast on the human reproductive system.
Definition of Breasts ( Breast anatomy and Physiology)
Describe the location and functions of the mammary glands.
Which part of the system do breasts belong?
Describe the structure of the mammary glands and explain how they are supported.
Identify the hormones that regulates the synthesis and ejection of milk
Common breast problems and pathological conditions
Pain referral patterns
Course: Advance Massage Techniques, Pregnancy and Infant Massage
INTRODUCTION
The human breast in both males and females contains mammary glands. And in
females, around the time of puberty, these mammary glands develop. In males, they usually
remain undeveloped.
It is an important organ that is not only involved in the human reproductive cycle but also
involved in the development of the child following childbirth and this will be the focus of this
presentation so we're going to begin by briefly focusing on the anatomy of the breast and
then we're going to focus on its function so let's begin by looking at the following diagram:
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF THE BREAST.
Course: Advance Massage Techniques, Pregnancy and Infant Massage
BREASTS
● The most prominent superficial structures in
the anterior thoracic wall, especially in
women.
● Consist of glandular and supporting fibrous
tissue embedded within a fatty matrix;
together with blood vessels, lymphatics, and
nerves.
● Both men and women have breasts.
○ Normally they are well developed only in women.
https://pathology.jhu.edu/breast/overview?fbclid=IwAR1JNgGsSQ_gKJaobuN22tYw8YUWUGgAIilBBlhVFlDA8wcXY_uMuT7iHW0#:~:text=Anatomically%2C%20the%20adult
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Course: Advance Massage Techniques, Pregnancy and Infant Massage
FIGURE 26.22 Mammary glands within the breasts.
The mammary glands function in the synthesis, secretion, and ejection of milk
Course: Advance Massage Techniques, Pregnancy and Infant Massage
FIGURE 26.22 Mammary glands within the breasts.
The mammary glands function in the synthesis, secretion, and ejection of milk
Course: Advance Massage Techniques, Pregnancy and Infant Massage
FIGURE 26.24 Histology of the mammary glands. Contraction of myoepithelial cells helps propel milk toward the nipples. The portion
of the mammary gland are glandular alveoli located
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Course: Advance Massage Techniques, Pregnancy and Infant Massage
Functions of the Mammary Glands
● The synthesis, secretion, and ejection of milk these functions
o This is called lactation.
Associated with pregnancy and childbirth
● Milk production is stimulated largely by the hormone prolactin from the
anterior pituitary, with contributions from progesterone and estrogens.
● The ejection of milk is stimulated by oxytocin, which is released from the
posterior pituitary in response to the sucking of an infant on the mother’s
nipple (suckling).
Course: Advance Massage Techniques, Pregnancy and Infant Massage
Which part of the system do breasts belong?
● Breasts are involved in the human reproductive cycle or reproductive
system and also involved in the development of the child following
childbirth.
● Typically considered as accessory organs of the reproductive system.
Course: Advance Massage Techniques, Pregnancy and Infant Massage
Common problems and pathological conditions
● Breast cancer: Malignant (cancer) cells multiplying abnormally in the breast, eventually spreading to the
rest of the body if untreated. Breast cancer occurs almost exclusively in women, although men can be
affected. Signs of breast cancer include a lump, bloody nipple discharge, or skin changes.
● Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS): Breast cancer in the duct cells that has not invaded deeper or spread
through the body. Women diagnosed with DCIS have a high likelihood of being cured.
● Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS): Although called a carcinoma LCIS, which occurs in the milk-
producing lobule cells, does not invade or spread and is not a true cancer. However, women with LCIS
have an increased likelihood of developing invasive breast cancer in the future.
Course: Advance Massage Techniques, Pregnancy and Infant Massage
● Invasive ductal carcinoma: Breast cancer that begins in the duct cells but then invades deeper into the breast,
carrying the potential of spreading to the rest of the body (metastasizing). Invasive ductal carcinoma is the most
common type of invasive breast cancer.
● Invasive lobular carcinoma::Breast cancer that begins in the milk-producing lobule cells, but then invades
deeper into the breast, carrying the potential of spreading to the rest of the body (metastasizing). Invasive
lobular carcinoma is an uncommon form of breast cancer.
● Simple breast cyst::A benign (noncancerous), fluid-filled sac that commonly develops in women in their 30s or
40s. Breast cysts may cause tenderness and may be drained.
● Breast fibroadenoma: A very common noncancerous solid tumor of the breast. A typical fibroadenoma creates a
painless, mobile lump in the breast and most commonly occurs in women in their 20s or 30s.
● Fibrocystic breast disease: A common condition in which noncancerous breast lumps may become
uncomfortable and change in size throughout the menstrual cycle.
Course: Advance Massage Techniques, Pregnancy and Infant Massage
● Usual hyperplasia of the breast: A breast biopsy may show normal-appearing, noncancerous
ductal cells multiplying abnormally. The presence of usual hyperplasia may slightly increase a
woman's lifetime risk of breast cancer.
● Atypical hyperplasia of the breast: Abnormal-appearing cells multiplying either in the breast
ducts (atypical ductal hyperplasia) or lobules (atypical lobular hyperplasia), sometimes
discovered by a breast biopsy. Although the condition is noncancerous, women with atypical
hyperplasia are at four to five times higher risk of developing breast cancer compared to women
with no breast abnormalities.
● Intraductal papilloma: A noncancerous, wart-like breast mass that grows inside the breast ducts.
Intraductal papilloma may be felt as a lump or cause clear or bloody fluid to leak from the
nipple.
Course: Advance Massage Techniques, Pregnancy and Infant Massage
● Adenosis of the breast: A noncancerous enlargement of the breast lobules. Adenosis can look like breast cancer on
mammograms, so a biopsy may be needed to rule out breast cancer.
● Phyllodes tumor: A rare, usually large, rapidly growing breast tumor that looks like a fibroadenoma on ultrasound.
Phyllodes tumors may be benign or malignant and most commonly develop in women in their 40s.
● Fat necrosis: In response to an injury in the fatty part of the breast, a lump of scar tissue may develop. This mass can
seem like breast cancer on examination or in mammograms.
● Mastitis: Inflammation of the breast, causing redness, pain, warmth, and swelling. Nursing mothers are at higher risk
for mastitis, which is usually the result of infection.
● Breast calcifications: Calcium deposits in the breast are a common finding on mammograms. The pattern of calcium
might suggest cancer, leading to further tests or a biopsy.
● Gynecomastia: Overdevelopment of male breasts. Gynecomastia can affect newborns, boys, and men.
Course: Advance Massage Techniques, Pregnancy and Infant Massage
https://nci-media.cancer.gov/pdq/media/images/711008-571.jpg
https://www.vejthani.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Breast-pain.jpg https://insights.top4.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/breast-cancer-signs.jpg
Course: Advance Massage Techniques, Pregnancy and Infant Massage
Pain Referral Patterns
● This is a sharp, intermittent aching pain, with possible signs of
inflammation and edema of the breast tissue.
● Pain is in the breast itself and down the medial side to the affected arm.
● Relief is gained temporarily through ice and rest.
● Possible causes includes mastitis, and benign or malignant tumours.
Course: Advance Massage Techniques, Pregnancy and Infant Massage
https://pathology.jhu.edu/breast/overview?fbclid=IwAR1JNgGsSQ_gKJaobuN22tYw8YUWUGgAIilBBlhVFlDA8wcXY_uMuT7iHW0#:~:text=Anatomically%2C%20the%20adult%
Course: Advance Massage Techniques, Pregnancy and Infant Massage
Thank you for
listening
to my presentation!
