HISTOLOGY OF BREAT

By Dr. Mudassar Ali Roomi (MBBS, M. Phil)

mammary gland
Emryology of mammary gland?? Each mammary gland is composed of numerous compound tubuloalveolar glands (15-20 lobes). each lobe is a separate gland with its own lactiferous sinus and a L. duct (2-4.5 cm long). L. duct opens at the apex of the nipplewhich has 15-25 pore-like openings each about 0.5 mm in diameter. Adjacent lobes are separated by interlobar C.T. Each lobe is divided into lobules by intralobar C.T.
9-Aug-12 2

DEVELOPMENT OF BREAST AT PUBERTY

9-Aug-12

ducts of mammary gland

Intralobular and interlobular ducts: lined by simple cuboidal epithelium Lactiferous duct: lined by stratified cuboidal epithelium Close to the nipple the epi. of lact. Duct becomes st. squamous.
9-Aug-12 4

 glandular tissue is sparse. No alveoli Intralobular ducts (tubules) and interlobular ducts are present. Intralobular C.T. is abundant

Resting or inactive mammary glands (in adult, nonpregnant women)

9-Aug-12

inactive breast

9-Aug-12

9-Aug-12

 Alveoli are formed Interlobular fat and C.T. is reduced Intralobular C.T. is also reduced and is infilterated by plasma cells and lymphocytes

mammary glandsearly pregnancy

9-Aug-12

Breast in pregnancy

9-Aug-12

 Alveoli enlarge and begin to produce some secretion Alveoli are lined by simple cuboidal epithelium Alveolar cells are surrounded by an incomplete layer of myoepithelial cells.

mammary glandslate pregnancy

9-Aug-12

10

Breast in pregnancy

9-Aug-12

11

 Secretion accumulates in many of the alveoli due to which they become distended Intralobular ducts appear structurally similar to alveoli

Active (lactating) mammary glands

9-Aug-12

12

lactating mammary glands

9-Aug-12

13

Active (lactating) mammary glands

Alveolar cells are richly endowed with RER and contain several Golgi complexes, numerous mitochondria, lipid droplets, and vesicles containing milk protein (caseins) and lactose. Secretion by alveolar cells
Lipids are released into the alveolar lumen via the apocrine mode of secretion. Proteins and sugars are released into the alveolar lumen via the merocrine mode of secretion.

9-Aug-12

14

9-Aug-12

15

 after weaning mammary gland returns to the inactive state Alveoli decrease in size and gradually disappear (by apoptosis) C.T and fat becomes abundant again just like inactive state

Mammary gland- After lactation

9-Aug-12

16

9-Aug-12

17

After menopause
Secretory epithelium atrophies Few remnants of duct system remains C.T becomes inreasingly dense and homogeneous

9-Aug-12

18

9-Aug-12

19

I.D. Points

9-Aug-12

20

MEDICAL APPLICATION
When a woman is breast-feeding, the nursing action of the child stimulates tactile receptors in the nipple, resulting in liberation of the posterior pituitary hormone oxytocin . This hormone causes contraction of the smooth muscle of the lactiferous sinuses and ducts, as well as the myoepithelial cells of alveoli, resulting in the milkejection reflex. Negative emotional stimuli, such as frustration, anxiety, or anger, can inhibit the liberation of oxytocin and thus prevent the reflex.
9-Aug-12 21

mammary carcinomas
Most instances of breast cancer arise from epithelial cells of the lactiferous ducts. Metastasis: via the circulatory or lymphatic vessels to critical organs such as the lungs or brain are responsible for the mortality associated with breast cancer. Axillary lymph nodes are removed surgically and examined histologically for the presence of metastatic mammary carcinoma cells. How to reduce the mortality: Early detection (eg, through selfexamination, mammography, ultrasound, and other techniques) and consequent early treatment.

9-Aug-12

22