The Aterial supply of the Breast - Abundant blood supply derived from perforating branches of the internal thoracic (mammary) artery (branch of the subclavian artery), lateral thoracic artery (branch of the axillary artery), and the intercostal arteries (branches of the internal thoracic arteries).
The Venous drainage of the Breast - Aveins from the breast drain into the axillary, internal thoracic, lateral thoracic, and intercostal veins. There are connections between the intercostal veins and the vertebral venous plexus. The chief venous drainage is toward the axilla.
The Nerve supply of the Breast - Lateral and anterior cutaneous branches of the second to sixth intercostal nerves. Secretory activity chiefly under hormonal control.
The Lymphatic Drainage of the Breast - Lymph passes to a subareolar plexus, and then follows the breast venous drainage to the axilla. Most of the lymphatic drainage of the breast is to the pectoral group of axillary lymph nodes. Some lymph vessels pass to the apical and subscapular groups of axillary nodes. In addition, some vessels pass to the supraclavicular nodes, the opposite breast, the parasternal nodes, and the abdominal nodes.
A clear Understanding of the lymphatic and venous drainages of the breast must be obtained because of their clinical importance in the spread of carcinoma of the breast. Axillary lymph nodes are the most common site of metastases from carcinoma of the breast. The connections between the intercostal veins and the vertebral venous plexus allow metastasis to the bones and brain.
