Supernumerary Nipples: Third Nipple: Types, Causes, and Removal

 

Supernumerary Nipples

Introduction:

Supernumerary nipples are rare and unique. They are not entirely formed as a nipple, but somewhere between a lobe and a true nipple. Supernumerary nipples vary in size, shape, color, and texture depending on their location in the breast area.

Supernumerary nipples are a common occurrence in humans, occurring when two normal nipples are found on the same breast. It's an extremely rare occurrence and doesn't usually cause any harm to a person. It only happens when there's a variant gene responsible for mammary gland development. It can happen for various reasons including something as simple as an enlarged areola that's now been deemed too large for gravity to keep due to the sister breast coming into contact with it.

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Supernumerary nipples are extra nipples that have developed on the breasts. They can either be a single supernumerary nipple or multiple supernumerary nipples called multiple supernumeraries. Supernumeraries are often found during adolescence and typically resolve by adulthood (age 18-25). However, women who have had more than one pregnancy, particularly in their teens, may develop more than one supernumerary.

Types of Supernumerary nipples

Unilateral Amastia

The supernumerary nipple is a rare condition that affects individuals of both gender. It is characterized by the abnormal development of one or more nipples on one side of the chest wall and is usually not accompanied by another nipple. Supernumerary nipples that may occur alone are called unilateral amastia or mono-amastia. They are most often found in females, with approximately 10% of cases in males, or other development anomalies such as hydrocele or dermoid cysts.

Bilateral Amastia

Bilateral amastia (BA) is both a pathology and a cosmetic symptom. Bilateral BA affects only one breast and the other one is normal. There are many variations in the shape and presentation of bilateral amastia, but all are comparable with each other.

Polymastia

Polymastia is a condition where secondary mammae are present in normal locations and functions. It is also known as supernumerary nipples and polythelia. Patients with polymastia have a small amount of breast tissue around their nipples and sometimes they are bigger than one normal nipple, but they do not grow together. Consequently, this process is called parallel if you look at an image that shows only these two supernumerary nipples.

Polythelia

Polythelia is the formation of more nipples than are usually present in an individual. It has been suggested that polythelia can result from hormonal imbalances during pregnancy, but other theories include genetic abnormalities, htx-b gene rearrangements, and viral infection. Polythelia was commonly diagnosed in the 19th century but has almost completely vanished in modern medicine. Asymptomatic polythelia is extremely rare.

Clinical significance of Supernumerary nipples

One of the most interesting aspects of supernumerary nipples is the fact that a patient will always have one or both of them. While it can be frustrating to deal with, there are reasons why women have multiple nipples. The presence of supernumerary nipples could be linked to polycystic ovary syndrome or hormonal imbalance; however, this has not been proven scientifically.

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Associations of Supernumerary nipples

Supernumerary nipples are nipples that are not attached to the breast, but rather they are attached to another organ. There are two main types of supernumerary nipples: ectopic and exocrine.

Ectopic Supernumerary Nipples

An ectopic nipple is a breast lump that isn't connected to the breast tissue or nipple. They can have different causes, such as cancer or injury. If an ectopic nipple isn't removed, it could grow into an area where there is no nipple tissue! This can cause complications in breastfeeding and cause pain for both mother and baby.

Exocrine Supernumerary Nipples

An exocrine supernumerary nipple is a gland that produces milk in addition to normal breast tissue. Exocrine supernumeraries can be harmless or malignant, depending on the location of the tumor and other factors.

Treatment of Supernumerary nipples

Supernumerary nipples (also referred to as extras) are very common conditions that have no medical or surgical treatment. There are various procedures available to treat this abnormal condition including breast reduction and mastopexy, which is the treatment of hanging breast tissue.

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Surgical Care

Supernumerary nipples are caused by a benign condition known as an ectopic nipple. These nipples can appear anywhere on the body and can be mistaken for breast cancer in many cases.

Supernumerary nipples are not uncommon, but they are often found in women who have had breast augmentation surgery, especially those with high breast lifts. They can also occur as a result of trauma to the breasts, such as during sports or even during pregnancy.

Some women develop supernumerary nipples after having children, but many people have them at birth or before any other signs of breast development begin. In some cases, supernumerary nipples can be removed surgically or they may disappear on their own over time.

Conclusion

The supernumerary nipple, also known as the accessory breast and extra nipple, is a type of polythelia. In this condition, there is a small bump or swelling where the breast tissue would otherwise be. These are common, affecting around 2% to 3% of the population—three times more than duplicate nipples in other words. When present on both breasts, they appear in approximately 22% of people with polythelia.