Table 6.

Definitions of Aesthetic Factors as Inspired by Tepper et al⁵ and of Cleavage as Defined by Oxford Dictionary⁷

Aesthetic Factor	Definition
Lower pole shape	Shape of the lower breast pole in a standing position. Defined by the area between IMF or the lowest visible part of the breast and a horizontal plane traversing the NAC.
Breast height	Breast height (with the patient in a standing position) as perceived relative to the torso by the lowest visible border of the breast (sometimes but not always corresponding with the IMF) to the highest visible border of breast tissue. Not the same as footprint.
Upper pole shape	Shape of the upper breast pole, defined by the area between a horizontal plane traversing the NAC and the upper most portion of visible breast mound, with the patient in a standing position.
Breast size	Size of the breast as defined by perceived volume.
Breast width	The maximal widest distance from the medial extent of the breast to the most lateral extent, with the patient in a standing position.
Lateral pole shape	Shape of the lateral breast pole, defined by the area between a vertical plane traversing the NAC and the lateral visible border of the breast, with the patient in a standing position.
Medial pole shape	Shape of the medial breast pole, defined by a vertical plane traversing the NAC and extending to the medial extent of the breast, with the patient in a standing position.
Nipple size and projection	The forward projection of the nipple from its base at the areola and its volume above the base level.
Intermammary distance	The distance between the medial borders of the breast, with the patient in a standing position.
Areolar shape	Shape of area within the outline of the pigmented areola, with the patient in a standing position.
NAC diameter	The largest measurable diameter of the areola relative to the breast and torso, with the patient in a standing position.
NAC color	Color (tone and hue, and intensity) of the pigmented areola.
Symmetry	Bilateral similarity of the breasts in all other factors relative to the midline, with the patient in a standing position.
Overall aesthetics	Overall aesthetic impression of aesthetics as a whole for both breasts, with the patient in a standing position.
Overall aesthetics left breast	Overall aesthetic impression of aesthetics as a whole for the left breast, with the patient in a standing position, not considering the contralateral breast.
Overall Aesthetics Right Breast	Overall aesthetic impression of aesthetics as a whole for the right breast, with the patient in a standing position, not considering the contralateral breast.
Cleavage	“The hollow between a woman’s breasts when supported, especially as exposed by a low-cut garment”. Per Oxford dictionary.7

IMF, inferior mammary fold.