Several diseases of the mammary gland

Several diseases of the mammary gland

Hey there! Let’s dive into the fascinating world of breasts! These babies are paired organs sitting on your chest, usually between the second and fifth rib spaces, depending on your bust size. They come in all shapes and sizes, but the most common is conical, with a round pigmented area called the areola smack in the middle. That’s where the magic happens – the milk ducts open up at the mamilla, which is right at the center of the areola.

Now, the areola isn’t just for looks. It’s got some muscle fibers that contract to help squeeze out milk when needed. And did you know it might be hairy? Yup, thanks to Montgomery’s glands hanging out there. But don’t worry, that’s totally normal.

Now, onto some interesting stuff. Ever heard of amastia? It’s when someone is missing one or both mammary glands, leaving them with small or underdeveloped breasts. Then there’s polithelia, where you might have more than one nipple – a rare but inheritable quirk. And if you’ve got athelia, you’re rocking the no-nipple look.

But wait, there’s more! Ever heard of mamma accessoria? It’s like having an extra breast, usually hanging out between your main one and your armpit. It might not have all the usual parts, but unless it’s causing trouble, no need to remove it.

Now, let’s talk size. Hypertrophy is just a fancy word for breast enlargement, which can happen for various reasons. A normal bust size is around 250-300 cubic centimeters, but when it goes beyond that, we’re talking moderate to significant hypertrophy.

But it’s not just adults who deal with breast changes. Newborns can have temporary macromastia due to mom’s hormones, while teens might face adolescent hypertrophy, where their breasts keep growing beyond what’s normal for their age.

Pregnancy can also bring about massive hypertrophy, leaving moms-to-be with swollen, painful breasts. And as we age, we might face senile gynecomastia, where one breast grows larger than the other.

Now, onto some not-so-fun stuff. While it’s normal for women to produce colostrum and milk for their babies, any other type of discharge should raise some flags. Galactorrhea, for instance, is when non-lactating women produce milky fluid, often due to hormonal imbalances.

So, if you ever notice anything unusual going on with your breasts, it’s always a good idea to get it checked out. Better safe than sorry, right?

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