The Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center states that this is a relatively common condition and many people with a third nipple may not even realize they have one. The presence of additional nipples (aka polymastia or polythelia or accessory nipples occur in roughly 1–5 percent of the population.
Fun facts on third nipples:
* Some people have had up to eight
* Most third nipples are harmless and do not need any medical attention
* Third nipples may be smaller compared to regular nipples
* The condition is more prevalent in men than in women.
* In most cases, the additional nipples are smaller and less developed than the regular nipples.
* In the case of a woman who has given birth, it is possible for her third nipple to lactate
* Lactation of third nipple can occur in third nipples on both men and women.
Third nipples are not always readily recognized because hey are usually smaller and less developed than regular nipples. As a result it is easy for a person to think they might be a mole.
A third nipple usually appears on the front of the body between the area starting in the armpit and running down past the nipples to the genitals. This is known as a person’s “milk line.”
However, third nipples can appear anywhere on the body, even the hands and feet. a condition known medically as ectopic supernumerary nipples.
Often people may dismiss third nipple as a mole or birthmark, but it is possible to tell the difference as moles or birthmarks tend to be flat and are unlikely to have any bumps or ridges in them.
There are different types of supernumerary nipples and they are categorized depending on features such as shape, size and tissue makeup.
Types of third nipples:
* Category One nipples (or polymastia,) may have an areola around it. An areola is a ring of soft circular tissue and the underlying tissue is regular breast tissue; this indicates that a full breast has also developed.
* Category two nipples do not have an areola though the presence of breast tissue underneath is still apparent.
* Category Three nipples is where the area has breast tissue present, but no actual nipple has formed.
* Category Four nipples is where breast tissue has formed underneath, but no nipple or areola is present.
* Category five (known as pseudomamma) nipples have an areola around the nipple area, but instead of breast tissue underneath, fat tissue is found instead.
* Category six (known as polythelia) is where the nipple appears alone and there is no areola or breast tissue underneath it.
All third nipples develop while the baby is in the womb. When an expectant mother is 4 weeks pregnant, the developing embryo’s two milk lines begin to thicken. The milk lines are made of ridged tissue and will eventually become part of the baby’s skin.
Two strips of tissue across the chest known as the “mammary ridges” regress in-utero, and in doing so two regular nipples form. However, there are instances where they don’t regress altogether, which can result in the creation of additional nipples.
It is important to see a doctor should the extra nipple cause any discomfort. For example, it's lactating or is painful pain, the nipple hardens, additional lumps form or a rash appears over the area.
In any case, third nipples should be checked regularly by a doctor who will check for any signs of abnormal growths or unusual, activity.
It's uncommon, but there are some cases where an additional nipple can be a sign of a congenital breast defect or malignant growth or tumor. It is possible for the extra nipple to get breast cancer.
Additionally, certain types of extra nipples have been linked to various kidney conditions such as end-stage renal disease and can also be associated with cancer of the kidney cells.
Having third nipples removed is usually for cosmetic rather than health-related reasons. Their removal usually involves noninvasive outpatient surgery. However, if a person has their third nipple, it may not be covered by insurance.
No comments:
Post a Comment