What is polythelia and polymastia?
A third nipple (also called supernumerary nipples, in the case of multiple nipples) is a condition in which you have one or more extra nipples on your body. This is in addition to the two typical nipples on the breasts. The third nipple, or the presence of multiple nipples, is also known as polymastia or polythelia.
What is polymastia?
Polymastia, or accessory breasts, is a rare, congenital (present at birth) condition in which a child is born with an additional breast or breast tissue. The additional breast may or may not have a nipple and areola (ring around the nipple).
What causes polymastia?
Polymastia occurs when the additional tissue does not disintegrate before birth. This condition can be inherited.
What is the area around a woman’s nipples called?
the areola
The darker area of skin around the nipple is called the areola. On the areola there are some little raised bumps. These are quite normal and are called Montgomery glands. They produce fluid to moisturise the nipple.
Is polythelia normal?
Polythelia and Polymastia Supernumerary nipples (polythelia) and supernumerary breasts (polymastia) are relatively common congenital abnormalities with an incidence of approximately 0.2% to 2.5% (polythelia) and 0.1% to 1.0% (polymastia) (see also Chapter 61).
How do I get rid of excess breast tissue in my armpit?
Your axillary breast tissue can be safely removed with surgery. This can be done with liposuction, if there is little correction required, or exision (removing tissue with incisions) for extensive correction. You’ll enjoy the following benefits of surgery: an elimination of undesirable contours in the underarm area.
Is axillary breast tissue cancerous?
Accessory mammary carcinoma is extremely rare, constituting 0.3–0.6% of all breast cancer cases, generally occurring as an axillary tumour (15). Primary breast carcinoma arising in accessory breast tissue of the axilla is the most common clinical presentation, comprising 60–70% of all ectopic breast tumours (16,17).
Is axillary breast tissue painful?
Axillary breast tissue, presenting as palpable thickenings in the axilla, can undergo monthly premenstrual changes, such as tenderness and swelling, difficulty with shoulder range of motion, and irritation from clothing. These symptoms may be exacerbated and become more apparent during puberty and pregnancy.
How common is Polymastia?
Supernumerary nipples (polythelia) and supernumerary breasts (polymastia) are relatively common congenital abnormalities with an incidence of approximately 0.2% to 2.5% (polythelia) and 0.1% to 1.0% (polymastia) (see also Chapter 61).
What causes extra breast tissue under armpit?
The takeaway It’s often caused by excess weight, but hormones and genetics may also play a role. In some instances, armpit fat may actually be a condition called axillary breast. Axillary breast is breast tissue that grows in or near the armpit. Talk with a doctor if excess breast tissue is disrupting your life.
What are the bumps on my areola?
The bumps on the areola are known as ‘Montgomery glands’. Montgomery glands are not visible until you are aroused or pregnant. During pregnancy, as breasts increase in size for breastfeeding, the Montgomery glands also swell. They look like small bumps or pimples on the nipple or areola.
What is secondary areola?
Nearly after the third month colostrum, which is a thick yellowish fluid, can be expressed from the nipples. During the fifth month, a pigmented area appears around the primary areola called secondary areola.
Can a person with polythelia have normal breasts?
Patients with polythelia may be subject to the same spectrum of pathologic diseases observed in normal breasts (e.g., neoplasms, fibroadenomas, papillary adenomas, cysts, or carcinomas). 32–35
Is there such a thing as a unilateral polythelia?
These conditions are usually unilateral, are very rare, and may be associated with a congenital syndrome such as Poland’s syndrome (i.e., congenital absence of the breast, pectoralis major muscle and upper limp deformities).
Are there any other anomalies associated with polythelia?
Furthermore, several other anomalies have been associated with polythelia and polymastia including a higher rate of testicular tumors in boys. 36 Other more controversial associations include genitourinary tract abnormalities and renal cell carcinoma. 37,38 Susie X. Sun, Kirby I. Bland, in The Breast (Fifth Edition), 2018
When does polythelia occur in a fetus?
In embryogenesis, polythelia occurs during the third month of gestation, when the embryonic mammary ridge fails to regress normally—an event coincident with the development of the urogenital and other organ systems.