Breast

Supernumerary Nipple

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Supernumerary Nipple, Supernumerary Breast

  • Epidemiology
  1. Prevalence: 5% of newborns
  • Pathophysiology
  1. Multiple nipples form in mammalian development
    1. Mammary glands form along bilateral mammary ridges on the ventral trunk wall
    2. These ridges course from mid-axilla to inguinal area
  2. These nipples usually recede in the human Embryo
  • Signs
  1. Unilateral or bilateral extra areola and/or nipple
  • Differential diagnosis
  1. Congenital Melanocytic Nevi (when supernumerary areola present)
  • Management
  1. Benign finding that does not require further evaluation or removal
  2. Previously thought to be associated with renal anomalies, but not supported in recent literature
    1. Meggyessy (1987) J Pediatr 111:412-3 [PubMed]
  • References
  1. Schmidt (1998) Eur J Pediatr 157: 821-3 [PubMed]