Nipples usually occur in pairs in humans and are located on the left and right sides of the breast. The main purpose of nipples is to supply the offspring with mother’s milk. The exits of the mammary glands are located on the nipple. The shape, size and pigmentation of nipples vary from individual to individual.
What are nipples?
The Latin name of the nipple is papilla mammae. As an abbreviation, medical professionals also use the term nipple. Colloquially, they like to be referred to as nipples. Both female and male individuals have nipples. Nipples usually occur in pairs, are created in the embryo at an early stage of development, and develop before sexual characteristics. In males, nipples later have exclusively a cosmetic function. In some men, as in women, the nipples are a strongly erogenous zone. In women, the nipple represents the mouth of the mammary glands, which are located in the breast tissue. Their function as milk donors is controlled by hormones during and after pregnancy.
Anatomy and structure
Female mammals have milk ducts with multiple teats that extend from the mammary to the pubic region. Multi-teat mice have twelve in number. The teats of most mammals are comparable to human nipples in structure and function. Almost identical are the nipples of primates. There are up to 20 mammary glands in the female breast, whose exits open into the nipple. These glandular exits are not visible to the naked eye. The nipple itself consists of pigmented skin tissue overlying fatty and connective tissue and is surrounded by an areola pigmented in the same color. In people with very light skin color, the nipples are also lighter than in dark-skinned people. The colors vary from pink to dark brown. When touched or cold, the nipples contract and harden (erect) due to the erection of the hair follicles surrounding them. The nipples themselves are hairless.
Function and tasks
Outside of pregnancy or maternity, women’s ‘nipples are sensitive erogenous zones. In men, nipples also serve sexual stimulation, but otherwise have an aesthetic function. The intensity of the feelings is individually pronounced in each person. Numerous nerve endings flow into the nipple and areola. However, the contraction of the nipple originally serves to help the baby find the food source more quickly with its mouth. The touch promotes milk let-down. For some mothers, the milk already shoots in when they only think about breastfeeding. If the milk comes out, the glandular exits can be easily located. Breast milk can be seen in droplets on the nipple and shoots out in a stream when pressure is applied. The ability of the female breast to produce breast milk is maintained for as long as the milk is needed. The amount is adjusted to the baby’s growth and is influenced by the sucking reflex at the nipple. Therefore, mothers can also pump their milk mechanically to build up a supply for times when they cannot breastfeed themselves. Normally, every healthy woman is capable of producing breast milk. Through hormone administration, even men can build up milk-bearing mammary gland tissue, but this is desirable for very few men.
Diseases and ailments
If the nipple hurts and shows visible changes, there is usually a defect in the underlying tissue. This may be glandular inflammation or breast cancer. In the case of advanced breast cancer, the nipple may bulge inward. Otherwise, the skin of the nipple is very delicate and thin, and can tear and become inflamed if mechanically irritated. However, the skin regenerates quickly. If nipple inflammation occurs during the breastfeeding phase, breastfeeding should be temporarily interrupted and the milk pumped to prevent milk engorgement. Milk engorgement is very painful for the breast and nipples. Congenital changes are so-called inverted or inverted nipples, in which the tip of the nipple is directed inwards. Inverted nipples can make breastfeeding difficult, but otherwise do not cause any discomfort. The formation of a third nipple in the breast or abdominal area is also possible in both men and women.This anomaly appears as a raised birthmark in childhood and does not show specific characteristics of a nipple until puberty. Supernumerary nipples are more of an aesthetic problem and can be surgically removed (also as part of breast cancer screening).
