Measuring Centimeters From Nipple
It all begins with an idea.
As an ultrasound technologist, interpreting mammograms can sometimes feel overwhelming. You’ve got multiple planes to analyze — and with the addition of 3D tomosynthesis, there’s even more information to process.
When you finally gain the confidence to know exactly where to look for the lesion, that’s when you reach that comfy, badass breastie status, which we all so strive to reach. Let’s start with the fundamentals: traditional 2D mammographic planes.
Start with the Basics: 2D Mammographic Views
As shown in my MammoMind tutorials (linked below), one helpful tip is to visualize the breast as if it were your own — orienting yourself to the direction each view faces.
Mediolateral Oblique (MLO) View – Tells you whether the lesion lies in the upper or lower portion of the breast.
Craniocaudal (CC) View – Identifies whether the lesion is in the lateral or medial portion.
By combining information from both views, you can determine which quadrant the lesion is located in. Once you have this, choose the closest clock-face position and estimate the likely range where the lesion would appear.
Remember the Mnemonic: MULD (Muffins Rise, Lead Falls)
This is my go-to trick for understanding the MLO view.
MULD = Medial Up, Lateral Down.
If it’s medial, it’ll appear one clock up (higher).
If it’s lateral, it’ll appear one clock down (lower).
Or just say to yourself:
“Muffins Rise, Lead Falls.”
Once you get this down, mammogram-to-ultrasound correlation becomes second nature.
Measure It Like a Pro: CMFN (Centimeters From Nipple)
After you’ve found the clock position, it’s time to measure the distance from the nipple to the lesion using your PACS ruler tool.
This is where precision really counts.
Getting that CMFN right helps you:
✅ Match findings between mammography, ultrasound, and MRI.
✅ Give your radiologist exact coordinates.
✅ Build consistency in your reports — and your confidence.
Avoid the Most Common Mistake 🚫
A lot of techs accidentally measure lesion depth instead of distance from the nipple — and it’s an easy slip to make.
If you’re not 100% sure how to get the CMFN measurement correctly, check out my short tutorials below. They show exactly where and how to measure without confusing it with depth.
🎓 Watch: How to Properly Measure CMFN on Ultrasound
Want to See Real Examples?
Take a look at UCLA’s excellent teaching resource for how CMFN is applied in breast imaging reports:
🔗 UCLA Breast Imaging Teaching Resources — Mammography Masses
💡 Final Thoughts
Measuring from the nipple might seem like a tiny step in the big picture of breast imaging — but it’s one of those details that separates good technologists from great ones.
When you understand how to translate what you see on mammography into the ultrasound field, everything becomes smoother — your scans, your confidence, and your communication with radiologists.
At MammoMind, we believe every detail matters. Because the more precise you are, the more power you have to impact breast health outcomes every single day. 💗