Female breasts are not only an object of male admiration. Beauty and attractiveness fade into the background compared to functionality. The mammary glands in women are primarily used for breastfeeding. More details about the functions, structure and types of the female breast are described in this article.
Basic concept
The mammary gland is a paired organ of external secretion, which is part of the reproductive system. Female breasts are a type of apocrine skin glands.
Anatomy
The anatomical structure of the mammary gland is as follows:
Chest wall.
Pectoral muscle.
Glandular tissue.
Milk shares.
Dairy ways.
Nipple.
Areol.
Adipose tissue.
Skin covering.
The predominant component in the structure of the female breast is glandular. It consists of 20 small shares. The shape of these lobes is conical. The top of the cone goes to the nipple. Each lobe, in turn, consists of alveoli - rounded lobes responsible for milk production. Connective tissue and breast fat are located between the alveoli. Cooper's ligaments are also located there. They are responsible for attaching the organ to the skin, maintain the elasticity of the breast and its shape. Cooper's ligaments are a multitude of fine fibers passing through the bust. The ducts of the mammary gland pass from the tops of the lobes to the nipple. They can be felt. To the touch, the ducts are tubercles and ligaments. They end in milky pores, through which milk goes out.
Fat shell
Fat is an essential component in the mammary gland. It not only protects the chest from various injuries, but also helps to keep warm. And this is simply necessary for the reproduction of milk and lactation.
Breast volume also depends on the amount of fat. The larger it is, the more magnificent the bust. Therefore, those ladies who have a lot of adipose tissue in this delicate organ can notice how the sizes of the mammary gland vary during the diet or before critical days.
Female nipples
The mammary glands in women are conventionally divided into squares. To do this, two lines are drawn in the center of the nipple - vertical and horizontal. Naturally, these lines are visual. This method helps a lot when examining a bust.
The central part in the structure of the female breast is occupied by the nipple and areola. The nipple is a small tubercle of dense tissue. There are many holes in it, up to 18, from which the newborn receives milk. The nipple color of the woman who did not give birth is pinkish. Its shape is conical. After childbirth, this part of the chest becomes brownish in color and takes on a cylindrical shape. A significant drawback at the time of breastfeeding is the flat shape of the nipple. However, the child is quite capable of pulling it.
Areola
This is the skin around the nipple. Its color is pink or brown. If you look closely at the female areola, then you can notice a lot of wrinkles on it. These are the so-called Montgomery hillocks. They secrete a special secret that prevents the nipples from drying out.
A little more about the structure
Under the mammary gland there are large and small pectoral muscles. Around them is the anterior dentate muscle. Part of the broad spinal muscle and the biceps brachii muscle support the chest from the side and top. Muscles, oddly enough, are in the nipple. Therefore, he is able to strain. There are no more muscles in the female bust.
During pregnancy, breast enlargement occurs. This is due to their preparation for new features. The breast swells and is able to "grow" into several sizes.
Breast types
The names of the types of mammary glands are very interesting. They are assigned in two ways: scientific and popular science. In the first case, it is not always possible to explain why this or that form was called that way. In the second, these are fruit and vegetable names, depending on what fruit or vegetable female pride looks like.
The scientific classification distinguishes 16 types of female bust:
"Snow hill". This type of female breast is small, with pale and delicate skin. The areoles around the nipples are large and bright. Pointed nipples.
Chloe. This type of mammary gland is characteristic of young individuals. Adult women with such a breast note its tiny size. The chest is tight, with a pronounced nipple and a clear areola.
"African savannah." The breast shape “specializes” in its width. The breast itself is medium in size, with small nipples and a pronounced areola.
Sappho. Those women who wear this form have slightly lethargic breasts. The bust is usually medium in size. Its distinctive feature is large and dark areoles and the same nipples.
"The buds." This type of breast is medium in size and narrow. The nipples are pointed, the areoles are not very pronounced. Very often, reddish thin veins can be seen on the skin of women with this breast shape.
"Dulka." The form got its name due to its resemblance to a tomato of the Dulka variety. The chest expands at the nipple, but at the base is narrow. Nipples are poorly expressed, they are almost invisible. But the areola is very large.
"Chestnut". The bust of this type is large, slightly flattened. Areoles are light and large, but the nipples are weakly expressed.
"Circe". It is considered to be the ideal form of the mammary gland. Larger than average, resilient, with large areolas of dark color and distinct nipples.
"Lady fingers". The type of bust is similar to the famous grape variety. Its size is large, areoles are dark and large. Nipples do not have good visibility.
"Turkish eyes." The bust is large, but the breasts are rather narrow. Nipples have a specific look: they look in different directions.
"Water surface". These are large mammary glands. Areolae are pale, but large. Nipples on their background are almost invisible.
"Peach". Breasts of large volume. In this very good shape. Areoles are bright pink, their nipples match.
Alma Mater. The mammary glands are large and heavy, and the nipples and areoles are constantly in tension. They are pale, as is the skin on the chest.
"Renaissance". The name speaks for itself. The bust is very large and lush. Areoles are pronounced, but small. Nipples, on the contrary, are very large, dark in color.
"Ripe pear." Another large size with dark areoles and mild nipples.
"The globe". Large bust of a round shape. The areoles of such a chest are very large and dark. Nipples pronounced, large, under the color of the areola.
Appointment
What is the main function of the mammary glands? Feeding offspring. This is her very first and necessary work - the production of milk with the subsequent feeding of the child.
The second function is sexuality. It is no secret that the bust is the main erogenous zone of a woman. Nerve receptors are located in the areola and nipples. Thanks to them, a woman enjoys the stimulation of this thoracic region. The mammary gland swells, becomes very sensitive. Medicine believes that stimulation is very beneficial for the female body. It contributes to the pleasure, and therefore, the production of oxytocin. Oxytocin is responsible for the tone of the uterus.
Disease
Unfortunately, this part of the female body is not without its "sores." What diseases of the mammary glands can occur? They can be divided into benign and oncological. A list of possible breast diseases is presented below:
Mastopathy This disease is associated with hormonal imbalance in the female body. As a result, there is a violation of the ratio of epithelial and connective tissue in the bust. The pronounced symptoms of the disease are bumps, nodes and other seals that can be determined by palpation. Why does mastopathy occur? For different reasons. This may be a rejection of breastfeeding, abortion, stress, various infections. The disease can develop into a malignant tumor, if measures are not taken in time.
Mastitis. Diseases are women during lactation. This is an inflammatory process in the mammary gland. Its main symptoms are very severe chest pains, discharge from the nipple. Mastitis can occur for a number of reasons. Here and non-observance of the rules of personal hygiene of the bust, and colds, and prolonged exposure to a draft, and cracks in the area of areoles and nipples.
Fibroadenoma. This kind of disease with a beautiful name is a benign tumor. She does not show herself, does not cause discomfort. You can detect the disease by probing the breasts. Under the fingers will be spherical seals. Moreover, these seals are able to move along the mammary gland. Fibroadenoma is treated with surgery.
Cyst. This is a kind of "bag" with a viscous liquid. The connective tissue, growing, stops the gaps in the lobes of the mammary gland. Why is this happening, doctors can not yet determine for sure. The cyst is removed using drainage, under medical supervision.
Cancer. This is the worst disease. Epithelial tissue grows, in which there is a division of cancer cells. And there is a malignant tumor. The latter can rapidly develop and affect all nearby tissues. The cause of cancer is not one, there are many. Heredity, malnutrition, exposure to radioactive substances, or excess estrogen in the blood.
Common Causes of Disease
Breast diseases have very common causes. And we should not forget that women aged 40-65 are very susceptible to breast diseases. These ladies should be examined annually by a mammologist.
Let us return to the main causes of diseases of the bust. The following are distinguished:
Heredity.
Endocrine diseases.
Hormonal imbalance.
Infectious processes and inflammation in the body of a woman.
Abortion.
Smoking.
Alcohol abuse.
Lack of menstruation for several cycles.
Early first menstruation.
First pregnancy after 30 years.
Taking oral contraceptives without a doctor's prescription.
The environmental factor.
Improper nutrition.
Non-observance of personal hygiene.
Is breast plastic dangerous?
Breast enlargement is a popular procedure for women today. But is it safe? There are hypotheses that implantation can "help" the development of a disease such as breast cancer. In addition, it is believed that breast-fed children are less healthy than their peers who are breast-fed. Is it so?
As for disease, there is more mythology than truth. According to medical data, in women who have had breast implants, cancer does not appear more often than in women with an ordinary bust.
With regard to pregnancy and breastfeeding, doctors say that women who have breast enlargement and their breastfed babies have not been identified with a health problem. More precisely, they are not due to the fact that breast implantation has been completed.
Bust care
A delicate female bust needs care. One of the basic rules for caring for the mammary glands is a contrast shower. Its functionality is to improve blood circulation, the chest becomes elastic and more elastic. Those who are not afraid of experiments should try to massage their breasts using cold water from the shower and a special nozzle that regulates the pressure of the water.
The selection of a bra is another important point. In no case should you wear this attribute smaller than it should be. It should be comfortable, support the chest and not rub the skin under it. For sports it is better to select certain models of the sports plan.
Conclusion
What should be remembered from the article?
The woman’s chest is very tender, she needs care. A contrast shower and the right bra selection are the foundation.
Breast diseases can be prevented if you adhere to a healthy lifestyle.
During breastfeeding, the bust requires special care.
The structure of the breast is unique and its volume depends on the amount of fat in the gland.
The shape of the mammary glands is different. There are 16 species in total.
Breast plastic surgery is not so dangerous. Around her walks a lot of mythical stories.
Careful care, proper nutrition and sports will help keep the bust in shape for many years.