Technologist’s Breast Imaging Quiz (entry level): Anatomy

1. Where is the skin covering the breast normally the thickest?

a) Base

b) Areola

c) Nipple

d) Axillary tail

e) Equal thickness

2. Which quadrant of the breast usually includes most of the glandular tissue?

a) Lower outer

b) Upper outer

c) No particular quadrant

d) Lower inner

e) Upper inner

3. What term describes the fasciae bands that support the breast?

a) Cooper’s ligaments

b) Parenchyma

c) Superficial fascia

d) Pectoralis major

e) Deep fascia

4. How many lobes are normally found in each breast?

a) 2-3

b) 5-10

c) 15-20

d) 30-35

e) over 35

5. What term describes the cone shaped structure that lies just below the areola?

a) Ampulla

b) Inframammary fold

c) Retromammary space

d) Tail-of-Spence

e) Lactiferous duct

6. Which of the following describes the junction between the inferior border of the breast and the anterior chest wall?

a) Axillary tail

b) Inframammary fold

c) Deep fascia

d) Retromammary space

e) Tail-of-Spence

7. What term describes the area between the posterior aspect of the glandular tissue and the anterior aspect of the pectoralis muscle?

a) Axillary tail

b) Inframammary fold

c) Lactiferous ducts

d) Cooper’s ligaments

e) Retromammary space

8. Which of the following terms describe the embryologic origin of the female breast?

a) Mammalian

b) Hair follicle

c) Sweat gland

d) Skin pore

e) Sebaceous gland

9. Which of the following is an effect of estrogen?

a) Lobular proliferation

b) Lobular regression

c) Parenchymal fatty replacement

d) Ductal proliferation

e) Involution of the senescent breast

10. The physiologic function of the breast is performed by…

a) The glands

b) The tubercles

c) The lobes

d) The acini

e) The lobules

11. The distal portion of the ductal system + the acini make up…

a) The segments

b) The glands

c) The TDLU

d) The lobules

e) The ductules

12. The ductules are part of the…

a) Terminal duct lobular unit

b) Lymph system

c) Lobes

d) Cooper’s ligaments

e) Branching ducts

13. The functional mammary tissue is divided into 15-20…

a) Acini

b) Lobules

c) Ducts

d) Nodes

e) Lobes

14. The portion of the breast that extends laterally and superiorly from the centre is commonly termed…

a) Axillary nodes

b) The upper quadrant

c) The axilla

d) The tail

e) The Ampulla

15. Which borders of the breast are most mobile?

a) Superior/inferior

b) Medial/lateral

c) Inferior/lateral

d) Inferior/medial

e) Superior/lateral

SUMMARY:

I hope this little tech quiz has peaked your interest. If you had to guess at any of the answers all explanations are revealed in my manual “THE MAMMOGRAPHER’S COMPANION.” (If you think you or your department would benefit, you can order a copy directly from me. Send an email for details.). The simple answer key follows:

1. a)

2. b)

3. a)

4. c)

5. a)

6. b)

7. e)

8. c)

9. d)

10. d)

11. c)

12. a)

13. e)

14. d)

15. c)