Breast (cont.)
What are cosmetic aspects of the breast?
Although the primary biologic function of the breast is to produce
milk to feed a baby, the breast has for many centuries been a symbol
of femininity and beauty.
Despite the contemporary concept of an ideal breast, there is no
single model that is ideal. The appearance of the normal female
breast differs greatly from one woman to another woman, and the breast of
any given woman even differs at different times during the woman's
life -- before, during and after adolescence, during pregnancy,
during the menstrual cycle, and
after menopause.
How does breast tissue develop in the fetus?
Breast tissue begins to originate by the fourth week of fetal
life. It grows along two ridges, one on either side, running from the
armpit (axilla) to the crotch. These are the so-called milk ridges or milk
lines. Breast tissue can develop anywhere along the milk line. It is
quite common to have breast tissue up toward and even in the armpit.
An extra nipple can also develop anywhere along the milk line, as can
a complete auxiliary breast.
Rarely, the breast may be absent. The normal growth of the breast
or nipple never takes place and there is no sign whatsoever of the
breast tissue, areola or nipple.
Absence of the breast
(also called amastia) frequently does not occur as the only physical problem.
Unilateral amastia (amastia just
on one side) is often associated with absence of the pectoral muscles (the
muscles of the front of the chest). Bilateral amastia (with absence of both
breasts) is associated in 40% of cases with multiple congenital anomalies (birth
defects) involving other parts of the
body as well.
Amastia can be distinguished from amazia -- wherein
breast tissue is absent, but the nipple is present -- a condition that typically
is a result of radiation or surgery.
Next: What are the most common medical concerns about the breast? »
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