Why Some People Have a Third Nipple

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsIs It a Third Nipple?CategoriesRelated ConcernsWhen to Get HelpHaving It RemovedFrequently Asked Questions

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Is It a Third Nipple?

Categories

Related Concerns

When to Get Help

Having It Removed

Frequently Asked Questions

A third nipple is an extra nipple on the chest. Also called a supernumerary nipple, it’s usually smaller than a regular nipple and often mistaken for amoleor birthmark. Third nipples are common, typically harmless, and usually don’t need to be removed for health reasons.

In this article, you’ll learn about extra nipples, why they develop, and their potential complications.

Third nipples are also called:Accessory nipplesEctopic nipplesTriple nipplesVestigial nipples

Third nipples are also called:

Accessory nipplesEctopic nipplesTriple nipplesVestigial nipples

How Do You Tell If It’s a Third Nipple?

Extra nipples form before birth, after the breasts andmammaryglands.Extra nipples can appear in people of any sex and are more common in those assigned male at birth (AMAB).

While people AMAB don’t generally develop female breast tissue, which happens in response to female puberty hormones, they do have mammary glands.

Third nipples don’t all look the same. Some have a typical nipple appearance—and even an areola or breast tissue. Others are just small bumps and some may be mistaken for moles.

Features like the location, size, color, and texture can help you figure out whether it’s a third nipple or something else.

Location

While third nipples can be anywhere on your chest, they most often form before birth and along milk lines.

Occasionally, however, milk lines stick around for longer and cause extra nipples and even breast tissue to form.

Size

Regular nipples vary greatly in size, and so do extra ones. Most of the time, a supernumerary nipple is smaller than your other nipples.

If the third nipple is associated with an areola, that’s generally smaller, too.

In some cases, third nipples are no bigger than a freckle.

Texture

Third nipples have a bumpy texture like standard nipples. Some moles feel rough but usually aren’t as rough as a nipple.

Extra nipples are also raised above the skin instead of flat. They may also have a visible dimple.

Color

Supernumerary nipples are pigmented. Most often, they’re the same color as your other nipples, so pink or brown.

Nipples can change color over the course of your life time due to hormonal fluctuations. This may happen to third nipples, as well.

Hair and the Third NippleIf you have hair around your primary nipples, you may also grow hair around supernumerary nipples.

Hair and the Third Nipple

If you have hair around your primary nipples, you may also grow hair around supernumerary nipples.

Types of Third Nipples

When an extra nipple occurs alone (category 6), the condition is referred to aspolythelia. When the third nipple is connected to breast tissue and glands (categories 1 and 2), it’s calledpolymastia.

Can Third Nipples Produce Milk?Extra nipples that are connected to breast tissue may sometimeslactate(produce breast milk) after the end of pregnancy, just like the primary breasts.

Can Third Nipples Produce Milk?

Extra nipples that are connected to breast tissue may sometimeslactate(produce breast milk) after the end of pregnancy, just like the primary breasts.

Are Your Nipples Normal?

Health Concerns Related to Third Nipples

While a third nipple itself is no cause for concern, it may be associated with increased risks of some health problems.

Breast Cancer and Third Nipples

If you have polymastia, that extra breast tissue is vulnerable to the same diseases that can affect typical breast tissue. Third nipples should be examined forbreast cancerjust as your regular breasts are.

Breast cancer risk is tied to a genetic mutation calledBRCA2. A possible link between this mutation and supernumerary nipples was suggested in a 2017 study on a brother and sister. Both siblings had:

The exact association between these things isn’t yet known. However, if you have a third nipple, you may want to ask your healthcare provider about genetic testing for BRCA2 mutations.

Paget’s Disease of the Nipple

Talk to your healthcare provider aboutPaget’sdisease if you have third-nipple symptoms such as:

Paget’s can sometimes also show up in the groin area (at the lower end of the milk lines), where it is called extramammary Paget’s disease (EMPD).

Nipple Discharge and What It Means

Other Health Risks

You may face other potential health problems if you have a third nipple. Supernumerary nipples have been associated with:

Polythelia (category six) is also associated with a higher risk of genital,bladder, andkidney cancers.

Hereditary or Random Occurrence?Third nipples can be hereditary, but they’re more likely to be a random phenomenon.

Hereditary or Random Occurrence?

Third nipples can be hereditary, but they’re more likely to be a random phenomenon.

When to See Your Healthcare Provider

In most people, extra nipples are benign. Still, you should talk to your healthcare provider if you note any changes such as dryness or flakiness, a rash, pain, or a lump.

Not allnipple changesindicate breast cancer, but knowing which changes are normal and which are signs of disease is important to your health.

Be sure your healthcare provider knows about your third nipple, especially if it’s attached to breast tissue. It should be looked at during breast exams. It could also make a difference in whether they thinkgenetic testingfor familial breast cancers is important for you.

Third Nipple Removal

Third nipples don’t usually need to be removed, but some people get them taken off for cosmetic reasons or if they cause discomfort. Surgical procedures vary depending on whether it has or underlying breast tissue.

Isolated third nipples can be removed via a simple procedure, similar to the removal of a mole. If it’s connected to breast tissue, amastectomy(surgical removal) can be done.

Summary

Third nipples are a fairly common occurrence. Most often, they’re not associated with any underlying problems.

While they don’t increase your risk of breast cancer, they may be at risk for any disease that typical breasts may develop. Third nipples are also associated with various medical conditions and other types of cancer, so it is important to go for regular check-ups.

You can have extra nipples (and associated breast tissue) removed for medical or cosmetic reasons.

Why Do Men Have Nipples?

Not necessarily. Many people are born with an extra nipple that’s not related to any symptoms or health problems.In some cases, it may occur with kidney or heart disorders. If you have breast tissue under your extra nipple, it should be monitored for disease just like your primary breasts.Learn MoreSymptoms of Breast Cancer

Not necessarily. Many people are born with an extra nipple that’s not related to any symptoms or health problems.In some cases, it may occur with kidney or heart disorders. If you have breast tissue under your extra nipple, it should be monitored for disease just like your primary breasts.

Learn MoreSymptoms of Breast Cancer

Up to 1% of people are born with an extra nipple that is connected to mammary tissue.Up to another 2.5% of people have an extra nipple not connected to breast tissue.Learn MoreThe Anatomy of the Human Breast

Up to 1% of people are born with an extra nipple that is connected to mammary tissue.Up to another 2.5% of people have an extra nipple not connected to breast tissue.

Learn MoreThe Anatomy of the Human Breast

Learn MoreHow Genetic Disorders Are Inherited

8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Fu NY, Nolan E, Lindeman GJ, Visvader JE.Stem cells and the differentiation hierarchy in mammary gland development.Physiol Rev. 2020;100(2):489-523. doi:10.1152/physrev.00040.2018Szabo GK, Vandenberg LN.REPRODUCTIVE TOXICOLOGY: The male mammary gland: a novel target of endocrine-disrupting chemicals.Reproduction. 2021;162(5):F79-F89. Published 2021 Oct 5. doi:10.1530/REP-20-0615Wessel GM.The milk line - where mammary gland meets mathematics.Mol Reprod Dev. 2016;83(1):1. doi:10.1002/mrd.22610McKay M, Coad R.A brother and sister with breast cancer, BRCA2 mutations and bilateral supernumerary nipples.Ann Transl Med. 2017;5(5):106. doi:10.21037/atm.2017.03.02Brown J, Schwartz RA.Supernumerary nipples: An overview.Cutis. 2003;71(5):344-346.Grimshaw EC, Cohen PR.Supernumerary nipple and seminoma: Case report and review of polythelia and genitourinary cancers.Dermatology Online Journal. 2013;19(1). doi:10.5070/D36zj1r2tpNational Institutes of Health, Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Supernumerary nipple.Miranda EP.Congenital defects of the skin and hands. In:Pediatric Surgery. 7th ed. Elsevier; 2012:1711-1724.Additional ReadingNew Zealand Trust: DermNet.Supernumerary nipple.

8 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Fu NY, Nolan E, Lindeman GJ, Visvader JE.Stem cells and the differentiation hierarchy in mammary gland development.Physiol Rev. 2020;100(2):489-523. doi:10.1152/physrev.00040.2018Szabo GK, Vandenberg LN.REPRODUCTIVE TOXICOLOGY: The male mammary gland: a novel target of endocrine-disrupting chemicals.Reproduction. 2021;162(5):F79-F89. Published 2021 Oct 5. doi:10.1530/REP-20-0615Wessel GM.The milk line - where mammary gland meets mathematics.Mol Reprod Dev. 2016;83(1):1. doi:10.1002/mrd.22610McKay M, Coad R.A brother and sister with breast cancer, BRCA2 mutations and bilateral supernumerary nipples.Ann Transl Med. 2017;5(5):106. doi:10.21037/atm.2017.03.02Brown J, Schwartz RA.Supernumerary nipples: An overview.Cutis. 2003;71(5):344-346.Grimshaw EC, Cohen PR.Supernumerary nipple and seminoma: Case report and review of polythelia and genitourinary cancers.Dermatology Online Journal. 2013;19(1). doi:10.5070/D36zj1r2tpNational Institutes of Health, Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Supernumerary nipple.Miranda EP.Congenital defects of the skin and hands. In:Pediatric Surgery. 7th ed. Elsevier; 2012:1711-1724.Additional ReadingNew Zealand Trust: DermNet.Supernumerary nipple.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Fu NY, Nolan E, Lindeman GJ, Visvader JE.Stem cells and the differentiation hierarchy in mammary gland development.Physiol Rev. 2020;100(2):489-523. doi:10.1152/physrev.00040.2018Szabo GK, Vandenberg LN.REPRODUCTIVE TOXICOLOGY: The male mammary gland: a novel target of endocrine-disrupting chemicals.Reproduction. 2021;162(5):F79-F89. Published 2021 Oct 5. doi:10.1530/REP-20-0615Wessel GM.The milk line - where mammary gland meets mathematics.Mol Reprod Dev. 2016;83(1):1. doi:10.1002/mrd.22610McKay M, Coad R.A brother and sister with breast cancer, BRCA2 mutations and bilateral supernumerary nipples.Ann Transl Med. 2017;5(5):106. doi:10.21037/atm.2017.03.02Brown J, Schwartz RA.Supernumerary nipples: An overview.Cutis. 2003;71(5):344-346.Grimshaw EC, Cohen PR.Supernumerary nipple and seminoma: Case report and review of polythelia and genitourinary cancers.Dermatology Online Journal. 2013;19(1). doi:10.5070/D36zj1r2tpNational Institutes of Health, Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Supernumerary nipple.Miranda EP.Congenital defects of the skin and hands. In:Pediatric Surgery. 7th ed. Elsevier; 2012:1711-1724.

Fu NY, Nolan E, Lindeman GJ, Visvader JE.Stem cells and the differentiation hierarchy in mammary gland development.Physiol Rev. 2020;100(2):489-523. doi:10.1152/physrev.00040.2018

Szabo GK, Vandenberg LN.REPRODUCTIVE TOXICOLOGY: The male mammary gland: a novel target of endocrine-disrupting chemicals.Reproduction. 2021;162(5):F79-F89. Published 2021 Oct 5. doi:10.1530/REP-20-0615

Wessel GM.The milk line - where mammary gland meets mathematics.Mol Reprod Dev. 2016;83(1):1. doi:10.1002/mrd.22610

McKay M, Coad R.A brother and sister with breast cancer, BRCA2 mutations and bilateral supernumerary nipples.Ann Transl Med. 2017;5(5):106. doi:10.21037/atm.2017.03.02

Brown J, Schwartz RA.Supernumerary nipples: An overview.Cutis. 2003;71(5):344-346.

Grimshaw EC, Cohen PR.Supernumerary nipple and seminoma: Case report and review of polythelia and genitourinary cancers.Dermatology Online Journal. 2013;19(1). doi:10.5070/D36zj1r2tp

National Institutes of Health, Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Supernumerary nipple.

Miranda EP.Congenital defects of the skin and hands. In:Pediatric Surgery. 7th ed. Elsevier; 2012:1711-1724.

New Zealand Trust: DermNet.Supernumerary nipple.

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