Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Logo
Stanford Health Clinics
Stanford School of Medicine
Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health
Clinical Specialties Find A Doctor Health Library For Patients & Visitors For Physicians & Health Professionals Jobs & Volunteering News, Events & Classes Directions & Parking Espanol
Home Contact Us Site Index About Us Kids Make a Gift Search
 
About the Teen Van
Center for Adolescent Health
Center for Adolescent Health Research
Teen and Young Adult Clinic
Teen and Young Adult Clinic Team
Teen Health Van
Adolescent Medicine Specialists
Adolescent Medicine
Teen tune-ups offered at Packard Children’s Hospital
New Info on Eating Disorders in Two Stanford/Packard Children's Studies
National Model for Mobile Health Celebrates Ten Years of Success
Talking with Your Kids on Growing Up*
Heart to Heart: A Seminar on Growing Up for Parents and Kids
 

Adolescent Medicine

Anatomy of the Breasts

Illustration of the anatomy of the female breast, front viewAnatomy of the breasts:

Each breast has 15 to 20 sections, called lobes, that are arranged like the petals of a daisy.

 

Each lobe has many smaller lobules, which end in dozens of tiny bulbs that can produce milk.

 

The lobes, lobules, and bulbs are all linked by thin tubes called ducts.

 

These ducts lead to the nipple in the center of a dark area of skin called the areola.

 

 

Illustration of the anatomy of the female breast, side view

 

 

 

 

Fat fills the spaces between lobules and ducts.

 

There are no muscles in the breast, but muscles lie under each breast and cover the ribs.

 

Each breast also contains blood vessels and vessels that carry lymph. The lymph vessels lead to small bean-shaped organs called lymph nodes, clusters of which are found under the arm, above the collarbone, and in the chest, as well as in many other parts of the body.

 

 

 




The information on this Web page is provided for educational purposes. You understand and agree that this information is not intended to be, and should not be used as, a substitute for medical treatment by a health care professional. You agree that Lucile Salter Packard Children’s Hospital is not making a diagnosis of your condition or a recommendation about the course of treatment for your particular circumstances through the use of this Web page. You agree to be solely responsible for your use of this Web page and the information contained on this page. Lucile Salter Packard Children’s Hospital, its officers, directors, employees, agents, and information providers shall not be liable for any damages you may suffer or cause through your use of this page even if advised of the possibility of such damages.


Lucile Packard Children's Hospital is located in Palo Alto, adjacent to Stanford University Hospital, approximately 20 miles north of San Jose, CA and 40 miles south of San Francisco.


Lucile Packard Children's Hospital
725 Welch Road
Palo Alto, California 94304
(650) 497-8000


Copyright 2008 Lucile Packard Children's Hospital. All rights reserved.
Legal Notices & Disclaimers