New Jersey Breast Lift – Anatomy of Breast Ptosis – How Breasts Sag

Based on the cause of an individual patient’s ptosis and their individual genetics, their breasts will sag to varying degrees. This has been quantified by the schematic below.

A normal breast has the nipple and parenchyma of the breast sitting above the inframammary fold of the breast.

Grade 1 ptosis is mild sagging in which the nipple lies at the level of the inframammary fold and the parenchyma below it.

Grade 2 ptosis is moderate sagging in which the nipple lies below the level of the inframammary fold but remains above the most dependent part of the parenchyma.

Grade 3 ptosis is severe sagging in which the nipple lies well below the inframammary fold and is at the most dependent part of the parenchyma along the inferior contour of the breast.

Pseudoptosis is not true ptosis, or sagging, because the nipple lies above or at the level of the inframammary fold. However, the majority of the breast parenchyma has descended below the level of the fold.

Parenchymal maldistribution involves a lack of fullness in the lower portion of the breast, a high inframammary fold and a relatively short distance from the fold to the nipple.

Additional Parker Center for Plastic Surgery Resources

• View before and after photos of breast lift with implants patients
• View before and after photos of breast lift alone patients
• View before and after photos of breast reduction patients
• Read about your breast lift options
• Learn how we help you test breast implants and find the right size during your sizing and shaping session
• View our animated breast lift procedure information
• Watch stories from real New Jersey breast surgery patients
• Read New Jersey breast augmentation stories
• Learn about the saline & silicone breast implants, your profile choices & more
• Learn about the emotional considerations associated with breast surgery