Breast

The breast is one of two protruding, milk-producing glands, which are located on the front of the chest. Male breasts are an undeveloped version of those on the female. Each breast is divided into fifteen to twenty lobes that radiate inward from the nipple and hold small clusters of milk-producing glands that have ducts that open out at the nipple of the breast for breast-feeding newborn babies. The primary function of the breast is to nourish a baby. The size and shape of the female breasts...

Click to read more below

Anatomy Terms

Change Anatomical System

Change View Angle

Full Breast Description

[Continued from above] . . . probably differ more than any other part of the body. These not only differ in individuals but at separate phases of a woman's life-during pregnancy, during the menstrual cycle, and after menopause. The breasts are really modified sweat glands, which are made up of fibrous tissues and fat that provide support and contain nerves, blood vessels and lymphatic vessels. The darker pigment around the nipples is called the areola, and the nipples themselves become erect because of cold, breast-feeding or during sexual activity. The size of the breast cannot be increased by exercise because there are no muscles within it, but only ligaments, which interlace the fat and tissue. The amount of milk is not dependent upon the size of the breast (which is set by genetic heritage).