Editing Breast (section)

{{Short description|Region of the torso of a primate that in females serves as a mammary gland}}
{{Other uses}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2024}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2024}}
{{Infobox anatomy
| Name        = Breast
| Latin       = {{noitalic|{{wikt-lang|la|mamma}} ({{lang|la|mammalis}} 'of the breast')<ref>
{{cite web |url=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/mammal |title=mammal |publisher=Dictionary.reference.com |access-date=31 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111114204020/http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/mammal |archive-date=14 November 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}
| Image       = Weibliche brust en.jpg
| Caption     = [[Morphology (biology)|Morphology]] of female human breasts, with the [[areola]], [[nipple]], and [[inframammary fold]]
| Image2      = File:Male Thorax.jpg
| Caption2    = Male human breasts with defined [[pectoral muscle]]s
| Precursor   =
| System      =
| Artery      = [[Internal thoracic artery]]
| Vein        = [[Internal thoracic vein]]
| Nerve       =
| Lymph       =
}}
The '''breasts''' are two prominences located on the upper [[ventral]] region of the [[torso]] among humans and other [[primate]]s. Both sexes develop breasts from the same [[embryology|embryological]] tissues. The relative size and development of the breasts is a major [[secondary sex distinction]] between females and males. There is also considerable [[Bra size|variation in size]] between individuals. Permanent [[Breast development|breast growth]] during puberty is caused by [[estrogens]] in conjunction with the [[growth hormone]]. Female humans are the only [[mammal]]s that permanently develop breasts at [[puberty]]; all other mammals develop their mammary tissue during the latter period of pregnancy. 

In females, the breast serves as the [[mammary gland]], which produces and secretes milk to feed [[infant]]s.<ref>
{{cite web |url = http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/breast |title = Breast – Definition of breast |work = Merriam-Webster |access-date = 21 October 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150906013636/http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/breast |archive-date = 6 September 2015 |url-status = live |df = dmy-all }}</ref> [[Subcutaneous fat]] covers and envelops a network of [[lactiferous duct|ducts]] that converge on the [[nipple]], and these [[tissue (biology)|tissues]] give the breast its distinct size and globular shape. At the ends of the ducts are [[mammary lobule|lobules]], or clusters of [[Mammary alveolus|alveoli]], where milk is produced and stored in response to [[hormone|hormonal signals]].<ref name=SEER>
{{cite web |title = SEER Training: Breast Anatomy |url = http://training.seer.cancer.gov/breast/anatomy/ |publisher = National Cancer Institute |access-date = 9 May 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120502155537/http://training.seer.cancer.gov/breast/anatomy/ |archive-date = 2 May 2012 |url-status = live |df = dmy-all }}
</ref> During pregnancy, the breast responds to a complex interaction of hormones, including [[estrogen]]s, [[progesterone]], and [[prolactin]], that mediate the completion of its development, namely lobuloalveolar maturation, in preparation of [[lactation]] and [[breastfeeding]].

Along with their major function in providing nutrition for infants, several cultures ascribe social and [[Human sexuality|sexual]] characteristics to female breasts, and may regard [[Bare breasted|bare breasts]] in [[Public nudity|public]] as [[immodest]] or [[indecent]]. Breasts have been featured in ancient and modern sculpture, art, and photography. Breasts can represent [[fertility]], [[femininity]], or [[Cornucopia|abundance]]. They can figure prominently in the perception of a woman's body and [[Sexual attraction|sexual attractiveness]]. Breasts, especially the nipples, can be an [[erogenous zone]].