Published in:
01-04-2015 | Experimental Study
Breast ligaments: an anatomical study
Published in: European Journal of Plastic Surgery | Issue 2/2015
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Background
Although the anatomy of the breast, and in particular the ligamentous system, has been widely studied for decades, there is still some controversy regarding some specific anatomical structures. The aims of this study were the ligamentous anatomy of the female breast through cadaveric dissection and to establish relationships with anthropometric and physiological data.
Methods
At the National Institute of Legal Medicine, we developed a protocol of cadaveric dissection in order to study the ligamentous anatomy of the breast. We performed the dissection of seven female cadavers (14 breasts).
Results
In each analyzed breast, the Cooper ligaments, suspensory ligament of the axilla, horizontal septum, and the inframammary ligament were recognized. We performed a statistical comparison between height and other parameters, including humeral length, distance between the suprasternal notch and the nipple, and suspensory ligament length.
Conclusions
This study allowed a greater understanding about the precise location of the different mammary ligaments using anatomical landmarks, including bony structures, and it confirmed that the inframammary ligament is present and related to the inframammary fold. This structure has been consistently identified in a constant anatomic position, and it is more frequently found at the level of the fifth rib.
Level of Evidence: Not ratable.