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The breasts are composed of fatty tissue that contains the glands responsible for milk
production in late pregnancy and after childbirth. Within each breast, there are about 15 to 25
lobes formed by groups of , the milk glands. Each lobule is composed of grape-like
clusters of (also called ), the hollow sacs that make and hold breast milk.

The lobules are arranged around  that funnel milk to the nipples. About 15 to 20 ducts
come together near the (dark, circular area around the nipple) to form  -
cavities that store the milk before it reaches the nipple surface.   are small
oil glands that are located around each areola. They release a lubricant that protects the
nipples during nursing.

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The breasts are not always exactly the same size or shape. They are 
" and - in men - remain small and undeveloped unless subjected to abnormal hormonal
stimulation. In general, breast formation is complete within a year or two after the start of
menstruation; however, the acini keep growing, and fibrous and fatty tissues are continually
added during adolescence.  and  cause further increases in breast size. As a
woman ages, the fatty tissue of the breasts may become more prominent than the glandular
tissue, and the breasts may feel softer. The breasts gradually " (shrink) after 
(the end of menstruation).



The breasts cover a large part of the chest wall. In front, the breast tissue may extend from the
(collarbone) to the middle of the  (breastbone). On the side, breast tissue may
continue into the # (armpit) and reach as far as the  (muscle extending from
the lower back to the humerus bone of the upper arm).
In fact, the anatomic relationship between the breasts and the underlying muscle is a very
important consideration in surgical therapy. The breasts overlay vital chest wall muscles such as
the $(the 'pecs'), the (thin, triangular muscle beneath the
pecs), and the  (muscles between the ribs). The breasts also may cover some of the
 (also called the serratus anterior; a slender muscle that is attached to the ribs/
rib muscles and connects with the shoulder blade) and the  (long, flat muscle
that stretches up the torso from the pubic bone to the ribs).

" 

" is a clear, tan fluid that contains lymphocytes (white blood cells that fight disease).
Lymph is drained from the breast tissues by a rich supply of vessels. Such lymphatic vessels
connect with a network of " that are located around the breasts' edges or in nearby
tissues of the armpits and collarbone. The breasts' lymph nodes are not linked in a straight line.
Instead, they are staggered and fixed within fat pads - an arrangement that complicates lymph
node removal during breast  surgery.

Lymph nodes play a central role in the spread of breast cancer. The # (underarm) lymph
nodes are particularly important, as they are among the first places that cancer is likely to be
found if it metastasizes (spreads) from the breast. This lymph node cluster is often referred to
as the % or 
nodes. 

nodes are located underneath the pectoralis minor muscle,

and 

nodes are found near the center of the collarbone.