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Boobs

What are boobs?

Boobs, breasts, tits, mammary glands, bosoms, bust, rack… whatever you call them, what are they? Simply put, boobs are the fatty tissue found in the chest region, laying over top of the pectoral muscles and found most typically in a pair, each with a nipple. Everyone has breast tissue, although for many AFAB the breast tissue will develop further during puberty as well as glands that are capable of producing milk.

Assigned Female at Birth (AFAB) Boobs:

• ✿ Lobes: Sections in each breast (~15-20) that surround the nipple and contain glandular tissue



• ✿ Glandular Tissue/Lobules: Produce milk



• ✿ Fatty Tissue: Determines breast size



• ✿ Connective/Fibrous Tissue : Holds glandular and fatty tissue in place



• ✿ Milk (Mammary) Ducts: Small tubes that carry milk from glandular tissue to nipples



• ✿ Nipples: Located in the center of the areola, has ~9 milk ducts and tons of nerves



• ✿ Areolae: Dark circular area of skin surrounding the nipple, during breastfeeding glands in the areola called montgomery’s glands secrete oil that protects the nipples and skin from chafing



• ✿ Blood Vessels: Circulate blood



• ✿ Lymph Vessels: Vessels that are part of the lymphatic system which transport lymph, a fluid that helps your immune system fight infection

Common Conditions and Disorders

According to the Cleveland Clinic, approximately 1 in 8 women receive a breast cancer diagnosis in their lifetime, making it the number one threat to breast health. Other conditions include:

• ✿ Non Cancerous breast disease



• ✿ Breast cysts



• ✿ Breast pain



• ✿ Breast rash



• ✿ Noncancerous lumps and tenderness



• ✿ Swollen milk ducts



• ✿ Breast infection



• ✿ Nipple discharge

How to Keep Track of Your Breast Health

Mammograms play a key role in detecting breast cancer early. A mammogram is an x-ray that allows doctors to look for abnormal changes in breast tissue. While recommendations vary depending on risk factors, Mayo Clinic recommends that at age forty, women should get their first screening and continue to do so annually. Self breast exams can familiarize you with how your breasts look and feel so you can detect potential problems easier.

How to Self-Conduct a Breast Exam:

Step 1: Look at breasts in the mirror with shoulders straight and arms on your hips

Look for:

• ✿ breasts that are their usual size, shape, and color



• ✿ breasts that are evenly shaped without visible distortion or swelling

If you see any of the following, consult a doctor:

• ✿ dimpling, puckering, or bulging of the skin



• ✿ nipple that has changed position or an inverted nipple



• ✿ redness, soreness, rash, or swelling

Step 2: Raise your arms and look for the same changes

Step 3: Look for signs of fluid coming out of one or both nipples (could be watery, milky, or yellow fluid or blood)

Step 4: Feel breasts while laying down, using your right hand to feel your left breast and visa-versa. Use a firm touch with the pads of your fingers while keeping the fingers flat and together. In a circular motion, cover the entire breast from top to bottom, side-to-side. Go from the collarbone to the top of the abdomen and from the armpit to cleavage.

Feel for:

• ✿ any lumps or unevenness

Step 5: Feel the breasts while standing or sitting. Cover entire breast using same hand movements described in step 4, feeling for any unusual lumps.

Assigned Male at Birth (AMAB) Boobs:

During puberty, high testosterone and low estrogen levels stop breast development. However, the anatomy is still made up of:

• ✿ Nipples



• ✿ Areolae



• ✿ Fatty Tissue



• ✿ Connective/Fibrous Tissue



• ✿ Lymph Nodes



• ✿ Few Undeveloped Milk Ducts



• ✿ Few Lobules (Most often Absent)

Health Concerns:

While breast cancer can still occur, it is far more rare in boobs with less developed breast tissue. A more common condition is gynecomastia in which the breast tissue becomes enlarged (usually caused by hormone imbalances). While gynecomastia is usually benign and reversible, it is important to see your doctor to check for any underlying diseases.

Sources: Breast Anatomy, Cancer.org, Breast Self Exam, Harvard Health