Anatomy of the Breast, Axilla, and Chest Wall

The breast is an organ that has captured the imagination of mankind since the beginning of our existence. It serves the dual function of an end organ, influenced by the endocrine system, with the ability to produce milk in mammals, sustaining the offspring, and functioning as a secondary sex organ in humans. The breast is evaluated and treated by a multitude of specialists, for both aesthetic and disease processes. In this chapter, we will focus on the anatomy of the breast with respect to the treatment of breast disease. The breast aesthetics, while an important aspect of the breast evaluation, is beyond the scope of the discussion in this chapter.