Supernumerary nipple

We aren't able to offer a specific diagnosis or speculate on the exact type of supernumerary nipple you have; we can only provide information that we hope you find useful. We recommend that you speak with your doctor about your questions and perhaps ask for a referral to a dermatologist with knowledge about supernumerary nipples. Histology (the study of tissue under a microscope) may provide a definitive diagnosis, as the tissues present in a supernumerary nipple are identical to those of the normal nipple.^[1][2]

Supernumerary nipples were classified into 8 categories in 1915, and this classification is still used today:^[2][1]

• Complete supernumerary nipple - Nipple and areola and glandular breast tissue (also called polymastia, or supernumerary breast)
• Supernumerary nipple - Nipple and glandular tissue (no areola)
• Supernumerary nipple - Areola and glandular tissue (no nipple)
• Aberrant glandular tissue only (breast tissue with no nipple or areola)
• Supernumerary nipple - Nipple and areola and pseudomamma (fat tissue that replaces the glandular tissue)
• Supernumerary nipple - Nipple only (called polythelia, the most common supernumerary nipple)
• Supernumerary nipple - Areola only (polythelia areolaris)
• Patch of hair only (polythelia pilosa) - may be a marker of underlying breast tissue^[3]

Although this classification is clear, people with a supernumerary nipple may encounter interchangeable terms or the inaccurate use of terms. This may be due to the range of variability from person to person.^[2][1] The likely reason that more recent descriptions are scarce in the literature is the relatively minor significance of a supernumerary nipple, from a health perspective.^[2]