Spence tail
Last revised by Tim Luijkx
on 25 Oct 2014
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Luijkx T, Skandhan A, Goel A, et al. Spence tail. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 08 Feb 2025) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-16299
Permalink:
rID:
16299
Article created:
8 Jan 2012,
Stefano Pacifici
Disclosures:
At the time the article was created Stefano Pacifici had no recorded disclosures.
View Stefano Pacifici's current disclosures
Last revised:
25 Oct 2014,
Tim Luijkx
Disclosures:
At the time the article was last revised Tim Luijkx had no recorded disclosures.
View Tim Luijkx's current disclosures
Revisions:
6 times, by
4 contributors -
see full revision history and disclosures
Systems:
Sections:
Synonyms:
- Axillary tail
- Axillary tail of Spence
- Spence's tail
Spence tail is the prolongation of upper outer quadrant of the breast in the axillary direction. It is also called the axillary tail, once it passes through the foramen of Langer, it pierces the axillary fascia. The duct system is seen to extend into the axilla.
If this direct continuity with the breast tissue is absent, then it is considered as an ectopic breast tissue in the axilla.
History and etmology
It is named after the Scottish surgeon James Spence.
References
- 1. Lawton TJ. Breast. Cambridge Univ Pr. (2009) ISBN:0521881595. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
- 2. Gilroy AM, MacPherson BR, Ross LM. Atlas of anatomy. Thieme Medical Pub. (2008) ISBN:160406062X. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
- 3. Netter FH. Atlas of human anatomy. W B Saunders Co. (2006)
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