Breasts
Breasts
Breasts (/brɛsts/), also known as mammary glands (mammary gland), are the organs in the female body that produce milk for breastfeeding (breastfeeding) infants. They are also a secondary sexual characteristic (secondary sexual characteristic) that distinguishes females from males in most mammalian species.
Etymology
The term "breast" originates from the Old English word "brēost," which has the same meaning. The word has cognates in other Germanic languages, such as the Old Norse "brjóst," the Dutch "borst," and the German "Brust."
Anatomy
Breasts are composed of glandular tissue and adipose tissue (adipose tissue). The glandular tissue contains the milk-producing lobules (lobule), and the adipose tissue provides the bulk of the breast's size and shape. The size and shape of breasts can vary widely among individuals, influenced by factors such as genetics, age, and hormonal fluctuations.
Physiology
The primary function of the breasts is to produce and secrete milk, a process known as lactation (lactation). This occurs in response to hormonal changes during pregnancy and after childbirth. The milk is transported from the lobules to the nipple (nipple) through a network of ducts (mammary duct).
Health
Breast health is an important aspect of women's health. Conditions that can affect the breasts include breast cancer (breast cancer), mastitis (mastitis), and fibrocystic breast changes (fibrocystic breast changes). Regular breast self-examinations (breast self-examination) and mammograms (mammography) are recommended for early detection of these conditions.
Related Terms
- mammary gland
- breastfeeding
- secondary sexual characteristic
- adipose tissue
- lobule
- lactation
- nipple
- mammary duct
- breast cancer
- mastitis
- fibrocystic breast changes
- breast self-examination
- mammography
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Breasts
- Wikipedia's article - Breasts
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