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IBCLC EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
2025
When does the breast begin to develop in utero? - correct
answer- 4th week of gestation
Where does the primitive milk streak develop - correct answer-
Bilaterally from the axilla to the groin
By the 5th week gestation the milk streak becomes what? -
correct answer- Mammary Milk Ridge (or milk line)
Thickening and inward growth into the chest wall continues
during what weeks gestation? - correct answer- 7-8 weeks
gestation
Between weeks 12 and 16 gestation specialized cells
differentiate into what? - correct answer- Smooth muscles of
the nipple and areola
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What forms the mammary pit? - correct answer- Lactiferous
ducts and their branches open into a shallow epithelial
depression
What creates an inverted nipple? - correct answer- When the
Mammary pit fails to elevate
What is witches milk? - correct answer- After birth, a neonate's
mammary tissue (under the influence of maternal hormones)
might recreate colostral like fluid
At what age do the primary and secondary ducts grow and
divide and form the terminal end buds that become the alveoli?
- correct answer- 10-12 years old
When does complete development of mammary function
occur? - correct answer- During pregnancy
What is superficial fiscia? - correct answer- Fibrous tissue
beneath the skin
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Where is the breast located? - correct answer- In the superficial
fascia between the second rib and sixth intercostal space
What are the two major divisions of the breast? - correct
answer- Parenchyma and Stroma
What makes up the Parenchyma? - correct answer- Ducts,
lobes, and aveoli
What are alveoli? - correct answer- Small sacs where milk is
secreted
What makes up the Stroma? - correct answer- Connective
tissue, fat tissue, blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatics.
What is Cooper's Ligament? - correct answer- Suspensory
ligament that are the fibrous connections between the inner
side of the breast skin and pectoral muscles. Help to shape the
breasts
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What does the nipple contain? - correct answer- 15-25 milk
ducts, smooth muscle fibers, sebaceous and apocrine sweat
glands, and dense innervations of sensory nerve endings
What are Montgomery Tubercles? - correct answer- Sebaceous
glands in the areola surrounding the nipple
What do the Montgomery Tubercles secrete? - correct answer-
Oily secretions (lipoid fluid) to keep the areola and the nipple
lubricated and protected
What artery(s) supply blood to the breast? - correct answer-
Internal mammary artery (60%) and lateral thoracic artery
(30%)
Where does the lymphatic system of the breast drain excess
fluids from tissue space, bacteria and cast off cells? - correct
answer- Auxiliary lymph node
Where does the nerves of the breast mainly branch from? -
correct answer- 4th, 5th, and 6th intercostal nerve
IBCLC EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
2025
When does the breast begin to develop in utero? - correct
answer- 4th week of gestation
Where does the primitive milk streak develop - correct answer-
Bilaterally from the axilla to the groin
By the 5th week gestation the milk streak becomes what? -
correct answer- Mammary Milk Ridge (or milk line)
Thickening and inward growth into the chest wall continues
during what weeks gestation? - correct answer- 7-8 weeks
gestation
Between weeks 12 and 16 gestation specialized cells
differentiate into what? - correct answer- Smooth muscles of
the nipple and areola
,2 | Page
What forms the mammary pit? - correct answer- Lactiferous
ducts and their branches open into a shallow epithelial
depression
What creates an inverted nipple? - correct answer- When the
Mammary pit fails to elevate
What is witches milk? - correct answer- After birth, a neonate's
mammary tissue (under the influence of maternal hormones)
might recreate colostral like fluid
At what age do the primary and secondary ducts grow and
divide and form the terminal end buds that become the alveoli?
- correct answer- 10-12 years old
When does complete development of mammary function
occur? - correct answer- During pregnancy
What is superficial fiscia? - correct answer- Fibrous tissue
beneath the skin
,3 | Page
Where is the breast located? - correct answer- In the superficial
fascia between the second rib and sixth intercostal space
What are the two major divisions of the breast? - correct
answer- Parenchyma and Stroma
What makes up the Parenchyma? - correct answer- Ducts,
lobes, and aveoli
What are alveoli? - correct answer- Small sacs where milk is
secreted
What makes up the Stroma? - correct answer- Connective
tissue, fat tissue, blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatics.
What is Cooper's Ligament? - correct answer- Suspensory
ligament that are the fibrous connections between the inner
side of the breast skin and pectoral muscles. Help to shape the
breasts
, 4 | Page
What does the nipple contain? - correct answer- 15-25 milk
ducts, smooth muscle fibers, sebaceous and apocrine sweat
glands, and dense innervations of sensory nerve endings
What are Montgomery Tubercles? - correct answer- Sebaceous
glands in the areola surrounding the nipple
What do the Montgomery Tubercles secrete? - correct answer-
Oily secretions (lipoid fluid) to keep the areola and the nipple
lubricated and protected
What artery(s) supply blood to the breast? - correct answer-
Internal mammary artery (60%) and lateral thoracic artery
(30%)
Where does the lymphatic system of the breast drain excess
fluids from tissue space, bacteria and cast off cells? - correct
answer- Auxiliary lymph node
Where does the nerves of the breast mainly branch from? -
correct answer- 4th, 5th, and 6th intercostal nerve
