PCE Certified Breastfeeding Counselor Exam
2026/2027 Questions And Correct Answers Graded
A+
Where does breast tissue normally develop?
Along the breast line
- located from under the arms down to the groin
What are the 3 stages of early breast development?
1. In utero
2. First 2 months of life
3. Puberty
Breast development during menstruation
- Estrogen: Induces Ductal System development
- Progesterone: Induces Lobular-Alveolar development
What is Lactogenesis?
The initiation of milk production
How many stages of Lactogensis are there?
,4
What stages of Lactogenesis occur during pregnancy?
1 and 2
Lactogenesis 1
Ductal and Lobular-Alveolar systems grow at an accelerated rate (influenced by
hormones)
- breasts enlarge
- high progesterone levels cause an increase in alveoli
- colostrum begins to produce in the alveoli
When does Lactogenesis 1 occur?
around 16 weeks
Lactogenesis 2
The placenta is released from the uterus and progesterone levels drop
- this causes the alveolar cells to begin to release milk and allows them to continue
to produce more milk
How long does Lactogenesis 2 last?
,2-4 days
What are the 5 main areas of the breast?
- Upper Inner
- Lower Inner
- Upper Outer
- Lower Outer
- Tail of Spence
What are the 2 types of breast tissue and what are they composed of?
- Parenchyma: ductal and lobular-alveolar structures
- Strom: connective tissue (fat, vascular, nerve, lymphatic)
What is an Alveolus
Small cavity where milk is produced and stored
- made of epithelial cells
What are Alveoli?
multiple alveolus
, What is the Intra-lobular duct?
Connects a lobule to the lactiferous ducts
What is a Mammary Lobule?
10-100 alveoli combined together
What are Lactiferous Ducts?
connects mammary lobules/intra-lobular ducts to the nipple
Breast Anatomy
What surrounds the breast tissue?
Fat
Nerves
Lymph Tissue
Vascular Network
Myoepithelial Cells
What is the purpose of the Myoepithelial cells?
They surround the alveolus and contract (like a muscle)
2026/2027 Questions And Correct Answers Graded
A+
Where does breast tissue normally develop?
Along the breast line
- located from under the arms down to the groin
What are the 3 stages of early breast development?
1. In utero
2. First 2 months of life
3. Puberty
Breast development during menstruation
- Estrogen: Induces Ductal System development
- Progesterone: Induces Lobular-Alveolar development
What is Lactogenesis?
The initiation of milk production
How many stages of Lactogensis are there?
,4
What stages of Lactogenesis occur during pregnancy?
1 and 2
Lactogenesis 1
Ductal and Lobular-Alveolar systems grow at an accelerated rate (influenced by
hormones)
- breasts enlarge
- high progesterone levels cause an increase in alveoli
- colostrum begins to produce in the alveoli
When does Lactogenesis 1 occur?
around 16 weeks
Lactogenesis 2
The placenta is released from the uterus and progesterone levels drop
- this causes the alveolar cells to begin to release milk and allows them to continue
to produce more milk
How long does Lactogenesis 2 last?
,2-4 days
What are the 5 main areas of the breast?
- Upper Inner
- Lower Inner
- Upper Outer
- Lower Outer
- Tail of Spence
What are the 2 types of breast tissue and what are they composed of?
- Parenchyma: ductal and lobular-alveolar structures
- Strom: connective tissue (fat, vascular, nerve, lymphatic)
What is an Alveolus
Small cavity where milk is produced and stored
- made of epithelial cells
What are Alveoli?
multiple alveolus
, What is the Intra-lobular duct?
Connects a lobule to the lactiferous ducts
What is a Mammary Lobule?
10-100 alveoli combined together
What are Lactiferous Ducts?
connects mammary lobules/intra-lobular ducts to the nipple
Breast Anatomy
What surrounds the breast tissue?
Fat
Nerves
Lymph Tissue
Vascular Network
Myoepithelial Cells
What is the purpose of the Myoepithelial cells?
They surround the alveolus and contract (like a muscle)
