The outer breast consists of a nipple and areola. The tip of the nipple contains several hole openings allowing for milk to flow through during lactation. The areola is the pigmented area around the nipple.
Nipples just do not have a single opening. Milk comes out through multiple tiny holes called the milk duct orifices or nipple pores. These milk duct orifices have their own sphincters to keep the milk from leaking. Some of these duct orifices are located at the center and a few outsides of it.
Nipple fissures are painful cracks on the skin of the nipple and areola. Nipple fissures are common during pregnancy and breast-feeding, but may be caused by friction in some athletes. People who experience nipple fissures should treat them with care, as it is possible for the area to become infected.
Milk (mammary) ducts: These small tubes, or ducts, carry milk from glandular tissue (lobules) to nipples. Nipples: The nipple is in the center of the areola. Each nipple has about nine milk ducts, as well as nerves.
The skin texture of the nipple is normally smooth, whereas the areola can be bumpy and pimple-like. Montgomery glands, which are responsible for lubricating the nipple and areola during lactation, are the raised areas on the areola. They may look like bumpy, white dots.
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.
A flat nipple is smooth next to the breast tissue. Inverted nipples withdraw below the surface of the nipple. If you think your nipple may be inverted, try placing your thumb and finger on opposite sides of the areola (the darker area of skin surrounding the nipple) and squeezing gently inwards.
Most women have protruded nipples, which vary in color and size. Some women even have flat and inverted nipples which are normal. Due to the hormonal change during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause, there may be nipple appearance and sensitivity changes.
Montgomery's tubercles are types of oil-producing glands people have on their areolae. They appear as small bumps. Doctors consider Montgomery's glands protective because they produce oil that keeps nipples soft and protects against infection, which is especially beneficial during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Breast development during puberty
2.1 Stage 1 This stage begins at about 8-12 years old, the nipples just begin to pop up, pink circle appears. This process takes quite a long time.
Clear, cloudy, or white discharge that appears only when you press on your nipple is usually normal. The more the nipple is pressed or stimulated, the more fluid appears. Yellow, green, or brown discharge is not normal and may be a symptom of an infection or other problem.
Many cases of bumps on the nipple are completely benign and extremely common, like areolar glands and the occasional blocked hair follicle or pimple. If you notice bumps that suddenly change, are painful or itchy, or come with a rash or discharge, make an appointment to get checked by your doctor.
It's common for nipples to become smaller, and the area around them, called the areola, almost vanishes. Lumps. Older breasts may be more prone to lumps or bumps.
"We found that patients with smaller nipples rated higher in attractiveness than those with larger nipples," consultant plastic surgeon Mo Akhavani said in a press release. The nipples that ranked most attractive and as "just right" in size occupied 25 to 30 percent of the breast when viewed head on.
Flat nipples1 don't protrude very far from the areola (the darker area surrounding them), even when stimulated. An inverted nipple dimples inwards at the centre. It may look like this all the time, or only when stimulated.
When does breast development begin and end? In general, breast development begins between the ages of 8 and 13. A girl's breasts are typically fully developed by age 17 or 18, however in some cases they can continue to grow into her early twenties.
In general, flat nipples do not usually interfere with breastfeeding. Most newborns can latch on to flat nipples without much of a problem. And, as long as your baby can latch on to your breast properly, they will be able to draw your nipples out.
Your nipples formed when you were in the womb. If they pointed inward when you were born, it's because your nipple base stayed small in the womb or your milk ducts didn't fully develop. That pulls your nipple inward.
Inverted nipples are often congenital, meaning they have been present since birth. This condition may result from milk ducts that do not fully develop or because the nipple base remained small while in the womb. Nipple inversion can occur in both males and females and often affects both sides instead of just one.
Montgomery glands are normal skin glands that appear as small, painless bumps on the areola, which is the area of darkened skin around the nipple. Every person has Montgomery glands, though they are more apparent in some than others. These glands secrete oil to help keep the skin lubricated.
Natural decline of estrogen
This reduced amount of estrogen causes the skin and connective tissue of the breast to become less hydrated, making it less elastic. With less elasticity, the breasts lose firmness and fullness and can develop a stretched and looser appearance.
Dark nipples may be a sign of medical conditions like diabetes or they may mean you are pregnant. You should also see your doctor if you experience any signs of infection, including fever, pain, redness, or warmth.
Your nipples are very sensitive little organs! When they are stimulated either by touch, cold temperatures or sexual arousal, they harden (actually become erect) and part of that response is for the brown part (the areola) to shrink and wrinkle. It is kind of like a muscle contraction.
Breast massage therapy can ease the breasts' sensitivity and provide better blood circulation to the breast. Gentle massage can also increase milk supply. Massage can help warm up and loosen the tissues around the breasts' milk ducts and help the milk flow.
As a girl approaches her teen years, the first visible signs of breast development begin. When the ovaries start to produce and release (secrete) estrogen, fat in the connective tissue starts to collect. This causes the breasts to enlarge. The duct system also starts to grow.