Atlas of breast cancer early detection

Breast ultrasound reveals breast parenchyma with varying proportion of fibrous, fatty, and glandular components at different stages of life as well as through the changing physiological status of the woman from thelarche to menopause.

Breast skin (normal thickness 0.5–2.0 mm), subcutaneous fat, breast glandular parenchyma, pectoralis muscle, ribs, and the nipple–areolar complex are detailed on ultrasound.

The anatomy of the breast is divided into three zones: the premammary zone, the mammary zone, and the retromammary zone. The mammary glandular zone is made up of ducts and lobules and is the functional unit of the breast.

Anterior suspensory ligaments, also known as ligaments of Cooper, formed from interlobular connective tissue are seen in the premammary zone. They insert into the dermis to stabilize the breast.