Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Micromastia
Introduction
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Overview
Overview
Micromastia, or breast hypoplasia, is a medical term describing the postpubertal underdevelopment of a woman’s breast tissue.[1] Just as it is impossible to define ‘normal’ breast size, there is no objective definition of micromastia. This condition may be a congenital defect as in the case of true hypoplasia, related to underlying abnormalities of the pectoral muscle (as in Poland’s syndrome[2]), or it may be a more subjective aesthetic description.
Self perceived micromastia involves a discrepancy between a person’s body image, and her internalized images of appropriate or desirable breast size and shape. Societal ideals over breast size vary over time, but there exist many conceived ideas involving breasts and sexual attractiveness and identity across different cultures.
The procedure to remedy micromastia is most commonly augmentation mammplasty using breast implants. Other techniques available involve using muscle flap-based reconstructive surgery techniques (latissimus dorsi and rectus abdominus muscles), microsurgical reconstruction, or fat grafting.
References
References
- ↑ http://www.emedicine.com/plastic/topic117.htm
- ↑ Poland, Alfred (1841). “Deficiency of the pectoral muscles”. Guy’s Hospital Reports. VI: 191–193.