BLOOD ,NERVE AND LYMPH OF BREAST

the blood supply of breast is mainly by the internal Mammary artery (60%) and the lateral mammary branch
of the lateral thoracic artery (30%).
25
Smaller sources of
arterial blood include the posterior intercostal arteries
and the pectoral branch of the thoracoacromial artery.
5
There is wide variation in the proportion of blood
supplied by each artery between women,
26
and little
evidence of symmetry between breasts. Moreover, the
course of the arteries does not appear to be associated
with the ductal system of the breast.
4
Venous Drainage
The venous drainage of the breast is divided into the deep
and superficial systems which are joined by short con-
necting veins. Both systems drain into the internal
thoracic, axillary, and cephalic veins. The deep veins are
assumed to follow the corresponding mammary arteries,
while the superficial plexus consists of subareolar veins
that arise radially from the nipple and drain into the
periareolar vein, which circles the nipple and connects
the superficial and deep plexus. Symmetry of the super-
ficial venous plexus is not apparent.
25
Innervation
Cooper
16
showed that the 2nd to 6th intercostal nerves
supply the breast. The distribution and course of these
nerves are complex and variable. The anterior nerves
take a superficial course in the subcutaneous tissues,
while the lateral nerves travel a deep course through the
breast. The nipple and areola are supplied by the anterior
and lateral cutaneous branches of the 3rd to 5th intercostal nerves