What is the difference between nipple and areola

Slip into something comfortable and go somewhere private, preferably with a mirror. Asymmetrical breasts are of two different sizes. Athletic breasts are wider, with more muscle and less breast tissue. Close-set breasts have no separation or a very small gap between them. They sit closer to the center of your chest, creating more distance between your underarm and your breast.

Conical breasts are shaped more like cones, rather than round. This shape is considered to be more common in smaller breasts than larger ones.

If your nipples point outward, away from the center of your body, then your breast type is East West. Genetics have the biggest say, by far. Your genes influence your breast density, tissue, size, and more.

Your areola is the darker area surrounding your nipple. Protruding: This refers to nipples that are raised a few millimeters above the surface of the areola and point outwards.

The nipple can harden and become more pronounced when cold or stimulated. Flat: The entire nipple is flat and blends into the areola. Puffy: The entire areola and nipple area looks like a small, raised mound on top of the breast. Inverted: The nipple retracts inwards. Sometimes, you can use your fingers to bring it out, but sometimes, the muscles are too tight. Unilateral inverted: One nipple is raised, the other is inverted.

If this has always been the case, it's perfectly safe. If this is a new development, it might be a sign of breast cancer, so see your doctor immediately. Bumpy: It's common to have bumps on the areola surrounding the nipple.

If these are bothersome, carefully trim them. Pulling them out with tweezers can be painful and may open the way to infections. Milk is produced in the lobules of the breast. From there, the milk travels through the milk ducts to the nipple. Most breast cancers originate in the glandular tissue, which contains the milk ducts, lobes, and lobules.

Other areas of the breast that can be affected by cancer include the nipple and areola, but these cancers are rare. The firm part of the breast consists of fibrous connective tissue, which is normal. If you feel an unusual lump or hard area in your breast, however, contact your healthcare provider.

The female breast is a complex organ. Understanding its anatomy and which parts perform certain functions is helpful if you choose to breastfeed, as you will be able to recognize sensations such as the let-down reflex and understand how milk production works.

It is also important to become familiar with your breasts so you can determine what's normal for you and what's not. If you are concerned by any changes in how your breasts look or feel, get in touch with your healthcare provider for an evaluation. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Cleveland Clinic. Breast anatomy. Paget's disease of the nipple. Anatomy and physiology of the breast during pregnancy and lactation.

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General breast health. There are techniques and devices such as pumps to pull the nipple out that can help you breastfeed with inverted nipples. You may also want to call a lactation consultant. Some women and men have an extra nipple, also called a supernumerary nipple or polythelia. Polythelia is estimated to affect around 0.

Extra nipples are usually small, located under the breast line, and may not be noticed at all until hormonal changes during puberty or pregnancy affect breast tissue. Supernumerary nipples are benign and do not require treatment or removal. The areola often enlarges or swells as a result of hormonal changes during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

If you notice a change in the areola of one breast only, or are concerned for any reason, it is best to give your healthcare provider a call. Montgomery's glands tend to enlarge during pregnancy and lactation, but go back to their normal size once you have stopped breastfeeding your baby.

You should never ignore changes of the nipple—especially when the changes only affect one side. Whether you are pregnant, have a normal menstrual cycle, or have already gone through menopause, breast cancer or another medical condition affecting the breast can sometimes manifest in this way.

If you are at all concerned, mention it to your healthcare provider. More likely than not, the change will be due to a benign condition. If it is something more worrisome, it's always best to have it diagnosed and treated as soon as possible. Get honest information, the latest research, and support for you or a loved one with breast cancer right to your inbox. Anatomy of the nipple and breast ducts.

Gland Surg. Association of the nipple-areola complexes with age, parity, and breastfeeding in Korean premenopausal women. J Hum Lact. Cleveland Clinic. If you have breast pain, should you worry?

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PLoS One. Published Oct Department of Health and Human Services. Office on Women's Health. Polycystic ovary syndrome. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Benign nipple conditions. American Cancer Society. Intraductal papillomas of the breast. Clevelnad Clinic. A systematic review on prevention and treatment of nipple pain and fissure: Are they curable? J Pharmacopuncture. Management of breast conditions and other breastfeeding difficulties. Geneva: World Health Organization;