DEVELOPMENT
Stage 1 |
Stage 2 |
Stage 3 |
Stage 4 |
Stage 5
|
The preadolescent breast (known medically as
stage 1 per Tanner's sex maturity ratings) consists of
a small elevated nipple with no significant underlying breast
tissue. (Tanner's stages are based on studies of white
English girls. An American survey found that black girls
tended to advance more quickly.) is also classified by
Tanner.
Puberty begins (usually between ages of 8
and 13, average age is 11) with the development of breast
tissue and pubic hair. With the hormonal changes of
puberty, breast buds form. This second stage of
breast development is the breast bud stage. Here, there
is elevation of the breast and nipple as a small mound; the
areola begins to enlarge. Milk ducts inside the breast
begin to grow.
In stage 3, there is further
enlargement and elevation of the breast and areola (with no
separation of their contours) The areola begins to
darken in color. The milk ducts give rise to milk glands
that also begin to grow.
Next, there is projection of the areola
and nipple to form a secondary mound (stage
4).
In the mature adult breast (stage
5), there is projection of the nipple only (though in some
woman the areola continues to form a secondary
mound).
The breasts of an aging woman diminish in size as the
milk glands degrade. The breasts often become more saggy
as this occurs and as the effects of gravity pull the breast
tissue downwards.