The breast examination is a critical clinical skill to identify abnormalities in breast tissue. It combines inspection and palpation, aiming to detect benign or malignant changes early. The breast consists of glandular, connective, and adipose tissues, with the primary role of milk production.

🔎 1. Anatomy Recap

Nipple 👉 central milk outlet.
Areola 👉 pigmented zone with sebaceous (Montgomery’s) glands.
Lobules 🧬 milk-producing glands.
Ducts 🧵 carry milk to nipple.
Adipose tissue 🧈 bulk & shape.
Fibrous connective tissue 🪢 suspensory (Cooper’s) ligaments.
Blood supply 💉 internal mammary & lateral thoracic arteries.
Lymphatics 🧩 axillary, supraclavicular, internal mammary nodes.

🛠️ Preparation

Ensure privacy, offer a chaperone, and gain consent ✅.
Explain procedure clearly and check patient comfort.
Position: sitting upright for inspection, supine with pillow under shoulder for palpation.
Expose to the waist while preserving dignity with drapes.

👀 Inspection

Compare both breasts for size, shape, symmetry, contour.
Skin changes 🟤: dimpling, puckering, redness, rash, peau d’orange.
Nipple 👁️: inversion, retraction, discharge, ulceration.
Dynamic manoeuvres:
- Arms raised overhead 🙆‍♀️ (hidden retraction becomes visible).
- Hands pressed on hips 💪 (contract pectoralis to reveal tethering).
- Leaning forward ➡️ look for asymmetry & contour change.

✋ Palpation

Patient supine, ipsilateral arm raised behind head.
Use pads of fingers, not tips, with systematic approach:
- 📏 Vertical strip pattern (best sensitivity).
- 🌀 Spiral pattern.
- 🔻 Wedge pattern (radial).
Palpate all quadrants + tail of Spence (axillary extension).
Comment on any lump: site, size, shape, surface, consistency, mobility, relation to skin/chest wall.
Palpate nipple/areola for discharge or subareolar masses.

🧩 Lymph Node Examination

Axillary nodes (central, anterior, posterior, lateral, apical).
Supraclavicular & infraclavicular nodes.
Cervical chain if suspicious spread.

📋 Common Findings

Normal ✅: symmetrical, smooth tissue, no lumps, no skin/nipple changes, no lymphadenopathy.
Benign 🌸:
- Fibroadenoma – smooth, mobile, “breast mouse”.
- Cyst – smooth, fluctuant, may be tender premenstrually.
Suspicious/Malignant ⚠️:
- Hard, irregular, tethered lump.
- Skin changes: dimpling, peau d’orange, ulceration.
- Nipple retraction, bloody discharge.
- Axillary lymphadenopathy.

📝 Documentation

Record lumps: site (clock-face position), size (cm), consistency, mobility, surface, tenderness.
Skin & nipple changes.
Lymph node status.
Patient’s own reported symptoms.

🎓 Patient Education

Encourage monthly self-breast awareness (not rigid “exams” but familiarity with normal baseline).
Discuss NHS breast screening programme (mammography every 3 years from age 50–70).
Explain red-flag symptoms 🚩: persistent lump, nipple discharge (esp. bloody), new inversion, skin tethering.

✅ Summary

The breast exam requires a calm, respectful approach: Inspection → Palpation → Node assessment. Document carefully, reassure the patient, and escalate if suspicious findings are present. Patient education on self-awareness and screening plays a key role in early cancer detection.

The content on this website is provided for educational and informational purposes only to support exam preparation (e.g., MLA, MRCP, USMLE) and learning. This is NOT medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or professional guidance. It does not replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional, official guidelines (e.g., NICE, GMC, BNF), or supervised clinical practice. Always verify information with current, authoritative sources. Makindo and its contributors accept no liability for any reliance on this content, including errors, omissions, or any resulting harm, loss, or consequences. By using this site, you agree to these terms.

OSCE Breast Anatomy Exam

👩‍⚕️ Overview of Breast Examination