What Are Cooper's Ligaments?

Suspensory ligament of the breast: Also called Cooper's ligament, it is a fiber bundle connecting the skin and pectoralis major fascia. One end is connected to the fibrous space of the pectoralis fascia and the other end is connected to the breast skin. It can keep the mammary gland in a certain position, have a certain degree of mobility under the skin, and not sag significantly when standing. When breast cancer occurs, the ligament involved by cancerous tissue can shorten it, cause the surface of the tumor to sag, and form a characteristic "dimple sign."

Suspensory ligament of the breast: Also called Cooper's ligament, it is a fiber bundle connecting the skin and pectoralis major fascia. One end is connected to the fibrous space of the pectoralis fascia and the other end is connected to the breast skin. It can keep the mammary gland in a certain position, have a certain degree of mobility under the skin, and not sag significantly when standing. When breast cancer occurs, the ligament involved by cancerous tissue can shorten it, cause the surface of the tumor to sag, and form a characteristic "dimple sign."

Chinese name

Suspensory ligament

On

Superficial fascia

Next

Superficial fascia

Function

Breast support and fixation

Physiological Anatomy of Suspensory Ligament

It can be divided into the following four parts according to its position from the breast gland to the point of penetration: from the superficial face of the breast gland to the superficial fascia to the skin, the ligaments are in the shape of a cord or a cone, and they are also divided into nipple areola Part, upper half and lower half. The nipple and areola ligaments are thin and numerous, and are tightly connected to them. There are more ligaments in the upper half and fewer ligaments in the lower half. Observed under a microscope, the number of collagen fibers in the suspensory ligament of the breast is large and thick, and they are closely arranged. The fourth part is the Cooper's ligament that passes through the periphery of the basal part of the breast, and is called the peripheral ligament of the breast. Part of the peripheral ligament of the breast passes through the superficial fascia and connects to the skin around the breast in the superficial sulcus. The other part joins the superficial fascia and the fusion of the superficial and deep layers. Peripheral ligaments of the mammary gland are cord-like. The thick and thick can be divided into upper and lower overhang ligaments and medial and lateral overhang ligaments according to the site. Its role is to limit the excessive movement of the mammary glands. . The inferior suspensory ligament joins the inferior fold ligament of the breast and is connected in an arcuate shape to the myofascia of the pectoralis major muscle at the beginning of the costal arch. The medial suspensory ligament is attached to the fascia of the pectoralis major muscle at the beginning of the sternum and the 2nd to 5th costal cartilage. The lateral suspensory ligament attaches to the fascia of the pectoralis major muscle and hangs from the clavicle fascia. Under the microscope, the number of collagen fibers in the peripheral ligament of the mammary gland is large but thin, and they are closely arranged. Cooper's ligament from the lower edge of the mammary gland. Some of them are folded back and upward to become thick and flat. The deep fascia that ends in the 5th, 6th, and 5th intercostal spaces, respectively. This part of the ligament is called the submammary fold ligament. The ligaments that pass from the deep side of the breast gland to the bottom of the superficial fascia and the pectoralis fascia pass through the posterior breast space thinly and sparsely, separating the posterior breast space into narrower chambers. Have fat.

The superficial fascia's fibrous septum is embedded with fat or cellulite. The thickness of the fat layer is thinner at the nipple and areola, thicker near the base of the breast, and then continues to the periphery and subcutaneous fat. The superficial and deep layers of the superficial fascia and the fat inside it form the fascial sac. The mammary glands are wrapped in it. The superficial and deep layers of the fascial sac merge at the periphery of the mammary gland base. The lower part is connected with the superficial fascia of the abdominal wall and attaches to the sternum inward, and merges with the deep fascia outward near the midaxillary line. The deep surface is tightly attached to the starting point of the pectoralis major muscle, the anterior serratus muscle, the edge of the pectoralis major muscle, and the clavicle fascia. The deep layer of the superficial fascia is thinner, the fibers adhere tightly to the pectoralis fascia, and there is loose connective tissue between the basal part of the breast and the amount of fat varies.