Relevant Anatomy

The excessive breast tissue can be made up of either fatty tissue or true glandular tissue. Like the female breast, this tissue is located superficial to the pectoral muscles behind the nipple/areolar complex. Often these two components are intermingled. Even in breasts whose primary excess is fat, after removal of the fat component there can be a firm nubbin of glandular tissue remaining behind the nipple areola complex, which requires surgical removal.