Applied Anatomy of the Breast and Diagnostic Investigations

Vascular and Lymphatic Supply of the Breast

The breast has an extensive vascular and lymphatic network, essential for its function and diagnostic assessment.

Arterial Supply

• Internal thoracic artery
• Lateral thoracic artery
• Thoracoacromial artery
• Posterior intercostal arteries

Venous Drainage

Blood drains primarily through the axillary vein and the internal thoracic vein.

Lymphatic Drainage

Lymphatic pathways are critical for metastasis and cancer staging.

• Axillary lymph nodes (major route)
• Internal mammary lymph nodes
• Supraclavicular lymph nodes

Diagnostic Investigations

Various imaging modalities and clinical assessments are used to diagnose breast diseases:

• Mammography (detects calcifications, tumors)
• Ultrasound (differentiates cystic from solid masses)
• MRI (high-resolution imaging for tumor characterization)
• Fine-needle aspiration and biopsy (histopathological analysis)