Nipple and breast anatomy

Abstract

Knowing the anatomy of the breast is fundamental to surgical management of breast disease. In an era when Halsted’s radical mastectomy was the standard treatment for breast cancer (and some benign conditions), anatomy mattered little. Now, with better oncological outcomes and greater aesthetic expectations from patients, a sound knowledge of anatomy becomes essential to optimise removal of the affected or at-risk breast tissue while carefully preserving the surrounding structures to minimise morbidity and enhance post-operative aesthetics. In this chapter, the anatomy of the breast will be described, with particular reference to the surface anatomy, skin and subcutaneous fat, blood supply and the nipple itself. These are the areas where detailed knowledge is crucial for planning and carrying out a nipple-sparing mastectomy.