Breast structure and development – ​​bust forward!

Breast structure

The nipples (or mammary glands, breasts) are the largest skin glands in humans. They are located on the chest in the space between the 2nd or 3rd and 6th or 7th ribs.

Breasts are made of:

• Glandular tissue formed by lobes, which are divided into smaller parts called lobules , which are clusters of milk sacs. In order for the milk to finally escape through the nipple, the breasts are equipped with milk ducts .
• Adipose tissue and connective tissue that surround and protect the sheets of glandular tissue and give shape to the breasts.

The lymph nodes surrounding the breasts include:

• supraclavicular and subclavicular nodes,
• axillary nodes,
• internal thoracic chain (poststernal) nodes.

The nipple is the place where milk exits to the outside. On both breasts, the nipples are surrounded by areolas , on the surface of which are small sweat glands. The mammary gland is extremely innervated, which makes a woman's breasts an area susceptible to touch and one of the erogenous zones of the body.

Breast growth stages

The process by which the breasts develop and their function of producing and providing nourishment to offspring is called mammogenesis .

Breasts begin to develop in the fetal period – the process begins as early as the 4th week under the influence of genetic factors and the mother's sex hormones. By the 5th week of pregnancy, a mammary bud is formed, which grows until the 12th week, creating secondary mammary buds and lobules. Ligaments, nerves, arteries, veins and lymphatic vessels develop throughout pregnancy.

Once the effects of maternal hormones cease after childbirth, the breasts are in a “resting state” until telarche – the onset of breast development during puberty.

Puberty is the time when the greatest breast growth occurs. This is when the ovaries begin to produce sex hormones on their own – estrogens are essential for breast development, crucial for stimulating their growth and the deposition of fat tissue. In turn, another sex hormone – progesterone – mediates the development of acinar follicles that enable lactation (secretion of milk).

Tanner scale, or determining the stage of sexual maturity

The Tanner scale allows us to determine the level of sexual development of children and adolescents. The assessment is made based on morphological features (such as pubic hair , height , or breast development ).

The scale is five points :

• In phase I (before puberty), the nipples become slightly bulging.
• Phase II is the moment when the breasts become slightly bulged and the areolas gradually enlarge. There is still little pubic hair and it is soft.
• In Phase III , as a result of further development of adipose tissue, the contours of the breasts become more prominent and the areolas enlarge. There is also further growth of pubic hair, which becomes dark and curly.
• During Phase IV, the nipple creates an additional bulge on the breast.
• The last phase V is the period of breast maturity (they are fully developed), to which the nipples adapt their shape.

The exact age at which the next phases of the scale occur is an individual characteristic. Of course, there are some conventional frameworks, but it is the specialist who determines whether the process is proceeding in a healthy, natural rhythm. The Tanner scale is a good point of reference - its use has been a constant point of medical practice for many years.

In the following years of life, after puberty, breasts may change, for example, due to pregnancy. Aging begins around the age of 55, when breasts gradually lose their firmness and elasticity, and also sink in relation to the ribcage.

What determines breast size?

The size of the breasts is genetically determined – it is indeed one of the factors influencing the appearance and size of the breasts. However, it has not been confirmed that the pattern directly relates to the genetic material of the mother. We receive characteristic features from both parents, and the final “effect” also depends on other elements.

Female sex hormones are responsible for the development of the breasts - they are responsible for the growth of adipose tissue. Any fluctuations in this area can, among other things, inhibit further breast enlargement. Body mass is also important - since the breasts are filled with adipose tissue, its overall increase can cause breast enlargement. Will it go to the boobs? Well, not always :) We close the clamp and return to hormones again. Depending on their levels, fat is deposited in different places on the body, for example in its lower parts.

Breast Development FAQ

Do your breasts hurt when they grow?

Breast pain can occur at many stages of life – for many people it is a cyclical condition related to the hormonal processes and fluctuations that accompany PMS, or premenstrual syndrome.

As a result of the development of breasts under the influence of sex hormones, there are changes in their structure and stretching of the breast skin, which can cause pain and discomfort. Breasts begin to develop before the first period, so their pain is one of the elements of the prelude to menarche . Additionally, many young people (between about 9 and 12 years of age) complain of a painful (and very disturbing for both children and parents) lump under the nipple. However, this is a normal symptom of the beginning of puberty and the so-called bud stage.

My breasts are asymmetrical – is that bad?

A slight disproportion in the size of the breasts is common and should not cause concern. Only the Sims and Barbie dolls are perfectly symmetrical ;) If the symmetry is very noticeable and worries you, it is worth consulting a doctor. Asymmetry can be caused by an overgrowth of fatty tissue in one of the breasts, but sometimes it is caused by more serious diseases.

The issue itself may also be purely aesthetic in nature – if you are not satisfied with the shape of your breasts, there is an option to use plastic surgery services. It offers a range of options for correcting the shape of the breasts (whether with an implant, lifting threads or lipotransfer).

How will my breasts change after pregnancy?

The appearance of breasts is influenced by a number of factors: menstrual cycle , menopause , weight fluctuations…

Changes can be felt in the early stages of pregnancy – breasts enlarge, may be tender and more sensitive to touch. Additionally, in the second trimester, nipples and areolas gradually darken.

Many pregnant women complain of itchy breasts and stretch marks that develop in the breast area. They are the result of skin stretching and changes in the connective tissue.

Our SOS cream can provide relief for various skin problems - use it to treat the areas that need a little tenderness.

I feel a lump in my breast – is it cancer?

Fortunately, not all changes that we can feel in the breasts are malignant tumors. In most cases, they are benign, and include, for example, fibroadenomas - or fibroadenomas. There are several varieties of them, often occurring multiple times. The causes of fibroadenomas are not fully defined. The doctor also does not always qualify the change for removal - if it does not raise major suspicions, regular check-ups may be sufficient.

Another benign lesion is a mammary gland cyst . Most of them are asymptomatic, sometimes accompanied by breast pain or tenderness (especially milk cysts , which develop during the postpartum period in breastfeeding women due to blockage of one of the milk ducts).

Any such changes should be subjected to thorough diagnostics – the doctor decides on further treatment and the possible need to remove the lump (and also assesses, based on the biopsy, whether the change may evolve into a malignant form).

How to care for your breasts?

It is worth taking care of your breasts, just like your whole body and mind, from the earliest years :) Conscious care, taking care of skin hydration, preferably with creams with a filter - these are the basics. What else is important?

• Choosing the right underwear – many people have trouble choosing the right bra ( I have flashbacks from some TV shows where women were undergoing metamorphoses and one of the mandatory steps was buying a new bra; practically ALWAYS the previous model turned out to be a good few sizes too small ). Why is it so important? A bra that squeezes the breasts is not only terribly uncomfortable, but also dangerous – it can disrupt blood flow, press on nerves, and if worn constantly, even lead to breast deformation. A bra that is too loose, but with cups that squeeze, can strain the spine. Also, check out the article about not wearing a bra, “ Is going without a bra healthy? ”
• And when the night falls and you go to your well-deserved rest, it's best to leave your well-chosen and comfortable underwear somewhere on a shelf ;) It's important for your breasts to rest from a bra at night, and for their skin to have a chance to "breathe" freely . Also read our article on the benefits of sleeping naked .
• The skin on your breasts is very delicate, so don't overdo the sunbathing - remember about the sunscreen mentioned a moment ago!

The most important thing on your list, however, should be research . What kind?

Self-examination, or breasts under control

Breast self-examination involves both visual and palpation (touch) assessment . The process can be divided into 5 steps:

• Stand in front of a mirror, straighten your back and place your hands on your hips. Notice the shape of your breasts, their color and size – has anything changed or is causing you concern?
• Still observing yourself in the mirror, raise your shoulders. Make sure your nipples are not inverted and their color is not objectionable, and your breasts are not sore or irritated.
• Another important point is to check if there is any disturbing discharge from the nipple of the breast. This is very important, so look carefully!
• Lie comfortably. With your right hand, examine your left breast, with your left hand, your right breast. Press your breast in a semicircle with your straightened fingers.
• You can do the last point standing or sitting, or even in the shower :) Take an extra moment to do the movements from the previous point. Place one arm behind your head and carefully examine your breast with your other hand. Pay attention to the axillary lymph nodes!

When is the best time to do a self-examination?

It is recommended that you do a self-examination of your breasts once a month, ideally between about 7 and 10 days after your period begins. During your period, your breasts may become sore and enlarged due to the changing levels of sex hormones in your body, so it is best to do a self-examination once the menstrual dust has settled and your hormones have returned to a stable level.

Breast Cancer – Prevention is Key!

Breast cancer is the most common malignant tumor in women. The highest incidence is in people between 45 and 69 years of age.

Early diagnosis of breast cancer determines the possibility of even complete recovery. Mammography and ultrasound are basic diagnostic tests, performed precisely to detect any disturbing changes in the structure of the breast.

Breast cancer can also affect people of younger age, and is also most common in pregnant women. It is recommended to have a preventive ultrasound examination every year . Depending on the structure of the breasts or any changes that are visible, it may be advisable to supplement the examination with a mammogram.

People with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer may be burdened with BRCA1 or BRCA2 genetic mutations – it is therefore necessary to perform a test to detect them. You can learn more about this topic from an article written by gynecologist Karolina Rasoul-Pelińska: here .

The risk of developing breast cancer increases with age in both sexes – about 80% of cases occur in people over 50. People of mature age have more fatty tissue in the breast, so in their case the control test is a mammogram, which should be performed annually. In Poland, there is a screening program for people between 50 and 69 years of age, which allows such a test to be performed on the National Health Fund. Before the age of 40, an ultrasound scan is rather suggested.

What is the difference between mammography and ultrasound?

The choice between one or the other examination depends mainly on age, which influences changes in the structure of the breasts.

Mammography uses X-ray radiation, which is excellent at analyzing adipose tissue. Glandular tissue, on the other hand, may be illegible in the resulting images, which is why mammography is usually performed on patients over 40, whose breasts are starting to be dominated by adipose tissue. In an ultrasound examination, the image obtained is created using ultrasound, which allows for contrast between the glandular tissue and any changes in it.

When to see a doctor?

Remember: any change in your breasts that worries you should be diagnosed – better safe than sorry. It is especially important to visit if:

• A possible lump in the breast (or armpit) grows or does not change during the menstrual cycle – it is firm and immovable.
• You have noticed fluid leaking from the nipple (which is not related to lactation).
• The skin on your breasts is irritated, red, wrinkled (so-called orange peel skin) or stretched.
• You are suffering from pain in your nipple (or nipples).
• Your nipples are inverted.

Beautiful breasts are EVERY breast!

And above all – healthy!

Big, small, round, bell-shaped, teardrop-shaped, asymmetrical… There is no single, universal canon of ideal, beautiful breasts (although some daredevils have tried, in a way that is incomprehensible to us, to devise a formula for the perfect bust – a truly Uhlan fantasy, you have to admit?).

Conscious care for your health, prevention – that's sexy! Fighting with complexes is not always an easy and fair fight. Accepting and loving your body as it is is one thing. If breast augmentation (or reduction) or other plastic surgery will make you feel better and add some energy – what's the problem? These covers crowing in bold about yet another celebrity with increased circumference are boring. Well, that's a sensation for me too... ;)