Cooper ligament
Last revised by Owen Kang on 27 Jul 2022
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Pacifici S, Kang O, Luijkx T, et al. Cooper ligament. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 26 Sep 2023) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-15370
Permalink:
rID:
15370
Article created:
11 Oct 2011, Stefano Pacifici
Disclosures:
At the time the article was created Stefano Pacifici had no recorded disclosures.
View Stefano Pacifici's current disclosuresLast revised:
27 Jul 2022, Owen Kang
Disclosures:
At the time the article was last revised Owen Kang had no recorded disclosures.
View Owen Kang's current disclosuresRevisions:
12 times, by 7 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures
Systems:
Sections:
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Synonyms:
- Suspensory ligaments of the breast
- Ligamenta suspensioria mammae
- Cooper's ligament
Cooper ligaments are the fibrous connections between the inner side of the breast skin and the pectoral muscles. Working in conjunction with the fatty tissues and the more fibrous lobular tissues, they are largely responsible for maintaining the shape and configuration of the breast. They play a major role in preventing breast ptosis.
The superficial extension of these ligaments come to peaks attached to the skin, which anchor the body of the breast to subcutaneous tissues and are known as retinacula cutis.
History and etymology
These ligaments were first described by Astley Cooper in 1840.
References
- 1. Lattanzio V, Simonetti G. Mammography, guide to interpreting, reporting, and auditing mammographic images : Re.Co.R.M. Springer Verlag. (2005) ISBN:3540200185. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
- 2. Modena S. Trattato di senologia. Piccin-Nuova Libraria. (2006) ISBN:8829918091. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
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