The anatomy of the human breast presents a paradox, as do most other parts of the body. Western culture is so obsessed with the breast (namely that of women) and yet, at the same time, appears to know so little about it. In other words, any common knowledge about the breast tends to be relegated to its appearance, as opposed to any real facts. Fortunately, many people have been addressing the issue of knowing so little of any real substance. What follows is another attempt to address this. It is only by knowing more about ourselves that we can gain a better understanding of ourselves and of others. That way, women can make an informed choice when deciding to undergo breast augmentation or a breast lift. It is also informally known as a boob job.

First, an adult woman's breast consists of lobules (glands which produce milk), ducts (transport milk), a nipple, an areola (coloured area around the nipple), fat and connective tissue surrounding the lobules and ducts. The breast itself is attached to the wall of the chest with fibrous strands known as Cooper's ligaments. Regarding the glandular tissue, the lobules are typically grouped to form lobes, of which there may be 15 to 20 of them. They appear in a pattern of spokes centered at the nipple area. The lobes carry milk to the actual ducts. These ducts then come together to form 6 to 10 larger ducts, which are the actual ducts that connect to the nipple.

Second, actual development of the breast begins approximately 7 to 8 weeks after conception. Initially, ridges (aka milk ridges) of tissue appear along the lines of the armpits to the groin area of the fetus. The ridges then fall back to the chest area to form what will become breasts. As the weeks pass, the various parts of the breast become more defined. These include the nipple, areola and milk ducts. In the last 8 weeks, the lobules form. The breasts then begin to release a liquid: colostrum. The release of this liquid may continue for a few weeks after birth. At this point in development, there're practically no real differences between male and female breasts. In fact, this continues to be the case until the onset of puberty.

After the onset of puberty, and after a woman's teenage years, the development of a woman's breasts can continue for several years. This is part of the reason why breast implants are normally not recommended for women in their early teens, unless there is a specific problem.

As is better known, a woman's breasts can change over the course of their lifetime. The breasts of younger women tend to have less fat and more glandular tissue. Whereas for women who have undergone menopause, the glandular tissue tends to disappear, and is replaced with fat. One factor in this change is the lower level of estrogen that occurs with menopause.

Third, hormones have a significant relationship with a woman's breasts. It's not each individual hormone as much as their interrelationship with a woman's breasts and her body as a whole.

The three main hormones are estrogen, progesterone, and prolactin. Their interrelationship is most visible - and felt - during the menstrual cycle and post-natal period. They can affect the size and feeling of the breasts themselves. In the former case, the breasts tend to swell due to the different level of estrogen and progesterone.

Finally, it's never the case that, a woman's breasts are perfectly symmetrical. Asymmetry is the norm. At Toronto Cosmetic Clinic, we usually tell our clients that your breasts are sisters not twins. In fact, this difference includes the nipple as well. Consequently, not only can one breast be larger than the other and shaped differently, but so can the nipple.

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