Abscess of a female breast
An abscess (accumulation of pus in tissue) arises during an inflammatory process. An inflammation of the breast (lat.: mastitis) can have various reasons. It can result out of a local infection or a trauma, but it can also be a consequence of a weak immune system or a systemic infection that first manifests itself in the mammary tissue. Because the lactiferous ducts are a portal of entry for bacteria, a mastitis often occurs during pregnancy or breast-feeding period and is then calles puerperal mastitis.