On the specimen’s right side, the skin is removed; on the left side, the breast is sagittally sectioned.
The breast extends from the 2nd to the 6th ribs. The axillary process (tail) of the breast consists of glandular tissue projecting toward the axilla.
The region of loose connective tissue between the pectoral fascia and the deep surface of the breast, the retromammary bursa, permits the breast to move on the deep fascia.
- Interference with the lymphatic drainage by cancer may cause lymphedema (edema, excess fluid in the subcutaneous tissue), which in turn may result in deviation of the nipple and a leathery, thickened appearance of the breast skin. Prominent (puffy) skin between dimpled pores may develop, which gives the skin an orange-peel appearance (peau d’orange sign). Larger dimples may form if pulled by cancerous invasion of the suspensory ligaments of the breast.