As you know, the entire human body consists of cellular structures. They, in turn, form tissues. Despite the fact that the structure of the cells is almost the same, there are differences between them in appearance and function. With microscopy of a section of an organ, it is possible to assess what tissue this biopsy consists of, and whether there is any pathology. Cellular composition plays a special role in the diagnosis of many pathological conditions. Among them - dystrophy, inflammation, tumor degeneration. Most of our organs are lined with epithelial tissue. With the help of it, the skin, digestive tract and respiratory system are formed.
Glandular tissue: structure
Histologists divide body tissues into 4 types: epithelial, connective, muscular and nervous. Each of them is formed by a set of interconnected cells identical in structure. Glandular tissue can be attributed to a separate group. In fact, it is formed from epithelial cells. Each of the tissue groups has its own structural features. This issue is being studiedspecial medical science - histology.
Epithelial tissue is characterized by a close arrangement of cells. There is practically no space between them. Therefore, it is quite strong. Due to the cohesion of cellular structures, the epithelium protects other tissues from damage and penetration of bacterial particles. Another skin feature is considered a quick recovery. Epithelial cells are constantly dividing, as a result of which it is constantly updated. One of its varieties is glandular tissue. It is necessary for secretion (special biological fluids). This tissue is of epithelial origin and lines the inner surface of the intestine, respiratory tract, as well as the pancreas, salivary and sweat glands. Various pathological processes lead to a decrease or increase in secretion production.
Functions of glandular tissue
Glandular tissue is present in many organs. It forms both endo- and exocrine structures. However, organs cannot be composed solely of glandular tissue. In any biopsy, several (at least 2) types of cells should be present. Most often, the organ contains both connective and glandular epithelial tissue. Its main function is to develop secrets. A large accumulation of glandular tissue is found in the breasts of women. After all, this organ is necessary for lactation and feeding offspring.
Breast milk is a secret secreted by glandular cells. During lactation tissueincreases in volume due to the expansion of the ducts. In addition to the breast, there are many organs that form the glandular epithelium. The tissue of all endocrine formations produces hormones. They are biologically active substances involved in many metabolic processes. However, the endocrine glands do not secrete. This is their difference from exocrine organs.
The structure of the breast: histology
Glandular tissue of the mammary gland is present not only in women, but also in men. However, they are atrophied. The mammary gland is a paired exocrine organ. Its main functions are the formation and excretion of milk. In addition to glandular cells, the organ consists of connective and adipose tissue. The latter is located on the periphery and protects the epithelium from damage. Also, thanks to adipose tissue, the shape and size of the breast is formed. The glandular tissue of the mammary glands is formed by cubic epithelial cells. It is in them that milk is produced during lactation.
In almost equal proportions, in addition to the glandular epithelium, there is also connective tissue in the breast. It runs along the lobules and separates them from each other. Violation of the ratio between these 2 types of tissues is called mastopathy. Slices, consisting of glandular tissue, are located on top of the pectoral muscle. They are present throughout the circumference of the organ. To divide the gland into lobular structures, connective tissue is needed. It is also located around the entire circumference of the chest. As a result, the lobules gradually narrow and turn intomilk ducts (milky ways), which in turn form the nipple. It should be borne in mind that there is adipose tissue right under the skin. It protects the gland from damage. This layer permeates the entire thickness of the organ, as a result of which this part of the body has a certain shape. This explains the reduction of the breast during weight loss and, conversely, its increase after weight gain.
Why does glandular tissue grow?
Growth of glandular epithelium is quite common. This is especially true for the mammary glands. The increase in tissue volume is caused by various metabolic disorders. After all, the mammary gland is an organ whose work depends on hormonal regulation. Overgrowth of breast tissue leads to various diseases.
The following causes of glandular tissue hyperplasia are distinguished:
- Gynecological pathologies. This is especially true for chronic inflammatory diseases of the appendages. Adnexitis is one of the main causes of mastopathy in women.
- Taking hormonal drugs. In recent years, the use of COCs has been considered the main method of contraception. This method is really effective. However, when taking oral contraceptives for a long time, it is necessary to consult a mammologist.
- Thyroid disease. It is worth noting that a decrease in the hormonal activity of this organ (hypothyroidism) is observed in most women suffering from cystic mastopathy.
- Stressful situations.
- Hormonal disorders. Most often they develop after abortions, with multiple pregnancies or, conversely, their absence.
- Pathologies of the pituitary and adrenal glands.
Pathologies of glandular tissue: classification
In some diseases, the glandular tissue in the chest begins to grow rapidly. This leads to the fact that epithelial cells begin to predominate over fibrous structures. As a result, the tissue ratio in the mammary gland is disturbed. Thus, breast diseases develop. The following pathologies of the mammary gland are distinguished:
- Mastopathy. This disease can be both local (localized) and diffuse (widespread) in nature. Most often, the second variant of the pathology is observed. Depending on the tissue ratio, cystic, fibrous and mixed mastopathy are distinguished.
- Fibroadenoma of the breast is most common in young girls. This disease is characterized by the appearance of a benign neoplasm consisting of fibrous tissue and surrounded by a capsule.
- Intraductal papilloma. It is an overgrowth of epithelial tissue. The main symptom of this pathology is the appearance of blood from the nipple.
- Breast cancer.
Fibrocystic breast disease
If there is a normal ratio of glandular-fibrous tissue, this indicates that there is no breast pathology. Sometimes elements of the epithelium predominate. If there is more glandular tissue than fibrous tissue, then such a pathology is observed ascystic mastopathy. Another name for this disease is adenosis. With glandular hyperplasia, the lobules and ducts expand, small cavities are formed - cysts. A change in the tissue structure can be suspected during palpation of the chest. A thorough examination reveals granularity of the mammary gland. Several small cysts may be observed.
Fibrous mastopathy differs in that connective tissue predominates in the structure of the organ. On palpation, there are many dense nodules (strands) present over the entire surface of the chest. Most often, combined hyperplasia of both connective and glandular tissue is observed. In this case, the disease is called fibrocystic mastopathy. This pathology is widespread among women of all ages.
Localized lesions of glandular tissue
Localized non-tumor pathologies of the breast, as well as diffuse ones, can be formed from fibrous and glandular tissue. Unlike common processes, they are clearly delimited in the tissue of the organ. The most common disease from this group is a cyst. It is formed as follows: the glandular tissue that makes up the lobule stretches and increases in size, resulting in a cavity with cloudy or transparent contents - a cyst that has a rounded shape and a soft consistency. When pressing the palm on the chest, the cyst is not determined (Koenig's symptom is negative).
Another localized pathology is fibroadenoma. Unlike a cyst, it is denseon palpation and very mobile in the tissue of the gland. If you press the chest with your palm, the fibroadenoma does not disappear (positive Koenig's sign).
Diagnosis of glandular tissue pathologies
Glandular tissue disease must be differentiated from other non-tumor breast pathologies (fibrous mastopathy) and cancer. This is done by palpation of the organs. Thanks to careful palpation of the breast, you can find out what shape, size and consistency the formation has. In addition, breast ultrasound and mammography are performed. With the help of these studies, pathologies such as mastopathy and breast cysts can be identified. For the diagnosis of breast cancer, cytological and histological analyzes are performed. To study the cellular composition of the contents of the cysts, a puncture biopsy is needed.
How to stop the increased growth of glandular epithelium?
To stop the pathological growth of glandular tissue, herbal medicine and drug treatment are recommended. Herbs that are used for fibrocystic mastopathy must be brewed and drunk in combination. Among them: sage, red brush, oregano, hemlock, burdock, nettle and meadow lumbago. Medications include Mastodinone and Progestogel.
Prevention of glandular tissue hyperplasia
To avoid glandular tissue hyperplasia, it is necessary to treat gynecological inflammatory diseases in time and be examined by a specialist at least 2 times a year. Women over the age of 40-50 are advised to have a mammogram. ExceptIn addition, self-examination of the mammary glands is also important. It is carried out in the first days after menstruation.
Complications of glandular tissue diseases
It is worth remembering that pathologies such as fibrous and cystic mastopathy are background diseases for breast cancer. It can be formed from both immature glandular and connective tissue. Therefore, if you have any seals or soreness in your chest, you should immediately see a doctor.
