IBCLC EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

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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