Medico-legal Expert​​

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At puberty, the female breast develops under the influence of the sex hormones oestrogen, progesterone and others including growth hormone, cortisol and insulin. This complex process typically begins between ages 8 and 14 and spans about 4–6 years.

The breast contains mostly fatty tissue thus is related to body fat, and also connective tissue and glands that following pregnancy, will produce milk. The milk is collected in the ducts and transported to 15–25 openings through the nipple. Asymmetrical breast growth during adolescence is the rule rather than the exception. Reassurance is given that the asymmetry usually evens out by the time of full maturation. Mammary hypertrophy can be a distressing symptom, but because growth and development continues for a long time, surgical intervention, if contemplated, should be delayed until the breasts are fully mature.

During the menstrual cycle, the breast is smallest on days 4–7, and then begins to enlarge, under the influence of estrogen and later progesterone and prolactin. Maximum breast size occurs just prior to the onset of menses. The breast is not round, but has a ‘tail’ of breast tissue extending up into the axilla. This is clinically significant because abnormalities can arise there just as they can in other areas of the breast. During breast examinations, this area should be palpated.

The breast is divided into quadrants to better describe and compare clinical findings. The upper outer quadrant is the area of greatest mass of breast tissue. It is also the area in which about half of all breast cancers will develop.

Pregnancy changes

During pregnancy, a number of changes occur over time which prepare the breast for lactation. Early in the first trimester, the breasts and nipples become tender. The tenderness persists until the end of the first trimester, at which time the tenderness disappears. By the end of the first trimester, enlargement of the breast and nipple is noticeable. By the third trimester, the breast and nipple have experienced further enlargement and the Montgomery’s glands around the periphery of the areola become more pronounced. The nipples gradually darken, becoming dark brown or black by full term.

The Normal Breast