Supernumerary nipple
| Supernumerary nipple | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Third nipple, triple nipple, accessory nipple,[1] polythelia |
 | |
| Specialty | Medical genetics, dermatology |
A supernumerary nipple is an
The nipples appear along the two vertical "
Types
| Type | Glandular tissue | Nipple | Areola | Fat tissue |
Hair patch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | yes | yes | yes | yes | |
| 2 | yes | yes | |||
| 3 | yes | yes | |||
| 4 | yes | ||||
| 5 ("pseudomamma") | yes | yes | yes | ||
| 6 ("polythelia") | yes | ||||
| 7 ("polythelia areolaris") | yes | ||||
| 8 ("polythelia pilosa") | yes[6] |
Polythelia refers to the presence of an additional nipple alone, while polymastia denotes the much rarer presence of additional mammary glands.
Although usually presenting on the milk line, pseudomamma can appear as far away as the foot.[7]
A possible relationship with mitral valve prolapse has been proposed.[8]
Clinical significance
 |
Clinical presentation
It may remain undetected. Occasionally, the supernumerary nipple is noticed when hormonal changes during adolescence, menstruation, or pregnancy cause increased pigmentation, fluctuating swelling, tenderness, or even lactation.
Associations
It is said to be found in association with many syndromes and other conditions:
Treatment and prognosis
Most often no treatment is required; however, a protruding embarrassing supernumerary nipple can be removed surgically, if desired. Removal using liquid nitrogen cryotherapy has also been described.
Society and culture
Television
The Triple Nipple Club is a documentary shown on
English pop-star Harry Styles confirmed in 2017 that he has four nipples as a result of the condition.[14]
See also
- Accessory breast
- Grace Sherwood, sentenced to jail for witchcraft partly on the basis of having "two things like titts on her private parts of a black coller [color]"
- Polydactyly
- Witch's mark
References
- ^ ISBN 978-1-4160-2999-1.
- ^ Supernumerary nipples: prevalence, size, sex and side predilection – a prospective clinical study, H. Schmidt, European Journal of Pediatrics volume 157, pages 821–823 (1998).
- ^ Occurrence of Supernumerary Nipples in Newborns Francis Mimouni, MD; Paul Merlob, MD; Salomon H. Reisner, MB, ChB, Am J Dis Child. 1983;137(10):952-953.
- ^ Kajava Y. "The proportions of supernumerary nipples in the Finnish population". Duodecim 1915; 1:143-70.
- ^ Revis, Don R. Jr. "Breast Embryology". eMedicine. Archived from the original on 22 December 2008. Retrieved 3 December 2007.
- S2CID 25211741.
- PMID 17083862. Retrieved 3 December 2007.
- PMID 10980229.
- ^ Throwback | First Cut: The Triple Nipple Club | Free Video Clips from Channel 4
- ^ Channel 4 - FourDocs blog - First Cut line-up
- ^ AskMen.com - Mark Wahlberg's third nipple love
- ^ YouTube - Lilly Allen Third Nipple
- ^ McCarthy, Susan (8 June 1999). "Why do men have nipples?". Salon. Archived from the original on 5 December 2022.
- ^ Donahue, Rosemary (19 July 2017). "Harry Styles Has Four Nipples, and That's More Common Than You Think". Allure. Archived from the original on 17 January 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2023.