Cooper's suspensory ligaments are the fibrous septae connecting the breast skin to the deep pectoral fascia, providing structural support to breast parenchyma. Their laxity from age, pregnancy, and large breast size produces breast ptosis. Breast cancer invading Cooper's ligaments produces the pathognomonic skin dimpling (peau d'orange) and nipple retraction visible on clinical examination.
| Origin | Overlying dermis of the breast skin |
|---|---|
| Insertion | Deep breast fascia (pectoralis major fascia) |
| Actions | Suspend the breast tissue; maintain breast shape and position; transmit motion during movement |
|---|
Skin dimpling in breast cancer from Cooper's ligament invasion is a late sign indicating locally advanced disease. Cooper's ligament anatomy is considered in all breast reconstruction and augmentation procedures — implant placement below the pectoralis (submuscular) or above (subglandular) affects how Cooper's ligaments interact with the implant surface.
Cancer invasion of Cooper's suspensory ligaments producing skin dimpling and nipple retraction — a sign of locally advanced disease requiring staging CT and multidisciplinary management.
