Accessory breasts, also known as polymastia, supernumerary breasts, or mammae erraticae, is the condition of having an additionalbreast. These extra breasts may appear with or without nipples or areolae. The condition, a form of atavism, is most commonly observed in males and is generally harmless, often going untreated. However, in recent years, many affected women have had a plastic surgery operation to remove the additional breasts, for purely aesthetic reasons.
A related condition, in which extra nipples form, is called "supernumerary nipple" or "polythelia".
Presentation
In some cases, the accessory breast may not be visible at the surface. In these cases, it may be possible to distinguish their appearance from normal breast tissue with MRI.[1] In other cases, accessory breasts have been known to lactate, as illustrated in a drawing showing a child nursing at ectopic breast tissue on the lateral thigh.[2]
A woman with a lactating supernumerary breast on her thigh
There is some evidence that the condition may be more common in Native American populations.[3]
Cause
Polymastia typically occurs in the womb during the development. During normal development, breast tissue will develop along the milk line, and additional tissue will disintegrate and be absorbed into the body. Polymastia occurs when the additional tissue does not disintegrate before birth. This condition can be inherited.
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