Examine the anatomy and physiology of the breast with reference to how research has impacted upon our understanding of lactation.

The breast is composed of the following parts. Glandular tissue which makes and transports the milk, connective tissue which supports the breast, the blood supply which nourishes the breast tissue and provides the nutrients necessary for milk synthesis, lymph which removes waste products, nerves which makes nipple sensitive and allows babys suckling to stimulate the release of hormones necessary for milk ejection reflex and the production of milk and adipose (fatty) tissue for protection from injury.

Externally they vary in shape, size, colour and placement on chest wall. They lie generally each side of the midline of the anterior chest wall between the 2nd and 6th rib, over the pectoralis muscle and attached by connective tissue….(short extract)