As you know, the whole human body consists of cellular structures. They, in turn, form tissues. Despite the fact that the structure of the cells is almost the same, there are differences between them in appearance and function. With microscopy of the organ site, you can evaluate what tissue this biopsy consists of, and whether there is any pathology. Cell composition plays a special role in the diagnosis of many pathological conditions. Among them - dystrophy, inflammation, tumor degeneration. Most of our organs are lined with epithelial tissue. With the help of it, the skin, digestive tract and respiratory system are formed.
Glandular tissue: structure
Histologists divide the body tissues into 4 varieties: epithelial, connective, muscle and nervous. Each of them forms a set of interconnected cells identical in structure. In a separate group can be attributed glandular tissue. In fact, it is formed from epithelial cells. Each tissue group has its own structural features. The study of this issue is a special medical science - histology.
Epithelial tissue is characterized by close proximity of cells. There is practically no space between them. Therefore, it is quite strong. Due to the cohesion of cell structures, the epithelium protects other tissues from damage and penetration of bacterial particles. Another skin feature is fast recovery. Epithelial cells are constantly dividing, as a result of which it is updated all the time. One of its varieties is glandular tissue. It is necessary for secretion (special biological fluids). This tissue has an epithelial origin and lines the inner surface of the intestines, respiratory tract, as well as the pancreas, salivary glands and sweat glands. Various pathological processes lead to a decrease or increase in secretion.
Glandular function
Glandular tissue is present in many organs. It forms both endo- and exocrine structures. However, organs cannot consist solely of glandular tissue. In any biopsy, several (at least 2) types of cells must be present. Most often, the body has both connective and glandular epithelial tissue. Its main function is to develop secrets. A large accumulation of glandular tissue is present in the breast in women. After all, this organ is necessary for lactation and feeding offspring.
Breast milk is the secret that glandular cells secrete . During lactation, the tissue increases in volume due to the expansion of the ducts. In addition to the chest, there are many organs that the glandular epithelium forms. The tissue of all endocrine formations produces hormones. They are biologically active substances involved in many metabolic processes. However, the endocrine glands do not produce secretions. This is their difference from exocrine organs.
Breast Structure: Histology
Glandular tissue of the mammary gland is present not only in women, but also in men. Nevertheless, they have it atrophied. The mammary gland is a paired exocrine organ. Its main functions are the formation and production of milk. In addition to glandular cells, the organ consists of connective and adipose tissue. The latter is located on the periphery and protects the epithelium from damage. Also, due to adipose tissue, the shape and size of the breast is formed. The glandular tissue of the mammary glands is formed by cubic epithelial cells. It is in them that milk is produced during lactation.
Almost in equal proportion, in addition to the glandular epithelium, there is connective tissue in the chest. It runs along the lobules and divides them among themselves. Violation of the relationship between these 2 types of tissue is called mastopathy. Lobules consisting of glandular tissue are located on top of the pectoral muscle. They are available around the circumference of the organ. To divide the gland into lobular structures, connective tissue is needed. It is also located around the circumference of the chest. As a result of this, the lobules gradually narrow and pass into the milk ducts (milky ways), which, in turn, form the nipple. It should be borne in mind that there is adipose tissue directly under the skin. It protects the gland from damage. This layer penetrates the entire thickness of the organ, as a result of which this part of the body has a certain shape. This explains breast reduction during weight loss and, conversely, its increase after weight gain.
Why does glandular tissue grow?
The proliferation of glandular epithelium is quite common. This is especially true of the mammary glands. The increase in tissue volume is caused by various metabolic disorders. After all, the mammary gland is an organ whose work depends on hormonal regulation. The proliferation of breast tissue leads to various diseases.
The following causes of glandular hyperplasia are distinguished:
- Gynecological pathology. This is especially true for chronic inflammatory diseases of the appendages. Adnexitis is one of the main reasons for the development of mastopathy in women.
- Taking hormonal drugs. In recent years, the use of COCs is considered the main method of contraception. This method is really effective. Nevertheless, with prolonged use of oral contraceptives, it is necessary to consult a mammologist.
- Thyroid disease. It is worth noting that a decrease in the hormonal activity of this organ (hypothyroidism) is observed in most women suffering from cystic mastopathy.
- Stressful situations.
- Hormonal disorders. Most often, they develop after abortion, with multiple pregnancies or, conversely, their absence.
- Pathologies of the pituitary gland and adrenal glands.
Glandular tissue pathology: classification
With some diseases, the glandular tissue in the chest begins to grow rapidly. This leads to the fact that epithelial cells begin to prevail over fibrous structures. As a result, the tissue ratio in the mammary gland is disturbed. Thus, breast diseases develop. The following breast pathologies are distinguished:
- Mastopathy This disease can be either local (localized) or diffuse (common) in nature. Most often, the second variant of the pathology is observed. Depending on the tissue ratio, cystic, fibrous and mixed mastopathies are distinguished.
- Breast fibroadenoma is most common in young girls. This disease is characterized by the appearance of a benign neoplasm consisting of fibrous tissue and surrounded by a capsule.
- Intraductal papilloma. Represents the growth of epithelial tissue. The main symptom of this pathology is the appearance of blood from the nipple.
- Mammary cancer.
Fibrocystic mastopathy
If glandular fibrous tissue is present in a normal ratio, this indicates that breast pathology is not observed. Sometimes epithelial elements predominate. If there is more glandular tissue than fibrous tissue, then such a pathology as cystic mastopathy is observed. Another name for this disease is adenosis. With glandular hyperplasia, the lobules and ducts expand, small cavities are formed - cysts. A change in tissue structure may be suspected during palpation of the breast. A thorough examination reveals granularity of the mammary gland. Several small cysts may be observed.
Fibrous mastopathy is characterized in that connective tissue predominates in the structure of the organ. On palpation, there are many dense nodules (cords) that are present on the entire surface of the chest. Most often, combined hyperplasia of both connective and glandular tissue is observed. In this case, the disease is called fibrocystic mastopathy. This pathology is widespread among women of all ages.
Localized glandular lesions
Localized non-tumor breast pathologies, as well as diffuse ones, can form from fibrous and glandular tissue. Unlike common processes, they are clearly delimited in the tissue of the organ. The most common disease from this group is a cyst. It is formed as follows: the glandular tissue of which the lobule consists is stretched and enlarged, resulting in a cavity with a cloudy or transparent contents - a cyst that has a rounded shape and soft consistency. When a palm is pressed on the chest, the cyst is not determined (Koenig's symptom is negative).
Another localized pathology is fibroadenoma. Unlike a cyst, it is dense on palpation and very mobile in the gland tissue. If you press the chest with your palm, the fibroadenoma does not disappear (a positive symptom of Koenig).
Diagnosis of glandular tissue pathologies
Glandular tissue disease must be differentiated from other non-tumor breast pathologies (fibrotic mastopathy) and cancer. For this, palpation of organs is performed. Thanks to the careful feeling of the breast, you can find out what shape, size and texture the formation has. In addition, breast ultrasound and mammography are performed. Using these studies, pathologies such as mastopathy and a breast cyst can be identified. To diagnose breast cancer, cytological and histological tests are performed. To study the cellular composition of the contents of cysts, a puncture biopsy is necessary.
How to stop the enhanced proliferation of glandular epithelium?
To stop the pathological growth of glandular tissue, herbal medicine and drug treatment are recommended. Herbs that are used for fibrocystic mastopathy must be brewed and drunk in combination. Among them: sage, red brush, oregano, hemlock, burdock, nettle and lumbago meadow. Medicines include Mastodinon and Progestogel drugs.
Prevention of glandular hyperplasia
To avoid glandular hyperplasia, it is necessary to treat gynecological inflammatory diseases on time and be examined by a specialist at least 2 times a year. Women after 40-50 years old are recommended to perform a mammogram. In addition, an independent examination of the mammary glands is important. It is carried out in the first days after menstruation.
Complications of glandular tissue diseases
It is worth remembering that pathologies such as fibrotic and cystic mastopathy are background diseases for breast cancer. It can be formed from both immature glandular and connective tissue. Therefore, if there are any lumps or soreness in the chest, it is worthwhile to immediately see a doctor.