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A supernumerary nipple (also known as a third nipple, accessory nipple, nubbin, polythelia or polymastia) is an additional nipple occurring in mammals, including humans. Often mistaken for moles, supernumerary nipples are diagnosed at a rate of 2% in women, lower in men. The nipples appear along the two vertical "milk lines", which start in the armpit on each side, run down through the typical nipples and end at the groin. They are classified into eight levels of completeness from a simple patch of hair to a milk-bearing breast in miniature. Polythelia refers to the presence of an additional nipple alone while polymastia denotes the much rarer presence of additional mammary glands.
Notable examples
- Actor and singer Mark Wahlberg is seen to have such a nipple below his left normal one in his modelling photographs.
- The model Masuimi Max has four nipples. She frequently models nude and the additional nipples are visible as symmetrical freckles between her breasts and armpits.
- Anne Boleyn, second wife to Henry VIII of England, and mother of Elizabeth I, may have had a third nipple or even a third breast. *, PMID 10653061 (This may well have been a slanderous rumour, as in Tudor times these "malformations" were considered to be a sign of the person having them being a witch. The circumstances of her marriage to the king, who had divorced his first wife, made her a controversial figure.)
In popular culture
Fictional characters said to have 'a third nipple' include:
- The assassin Francisco Scaramanga from the James Bond book and movie The Man with the Golden Gun
- Chandler Bing from the Friends television show; he refers to it as his "nubbin" but eventually has it removed. (He was rather embarrassed about it, and when asked if it could "do" anything, he replied, "Why, yes, Joey - if you press it, it takes you to the magical land of Narnia.")
- Dr. Noah Faulkner in the film Bio-Dome
- Miss Ivannah from the movie Mallrats (although this is a fake – after the protagonists leave her shop, she peels the fake third nipple from her breast and eats it.)
- Krusty the Clown from The Simpsons television show
- Kif Kroker from Futurama television show: his three nipples occur in a single horizontal row across his chest. However, since he is a humanoid alien, it could be argued that his third nipple is not, in fact, supernumerary, and rather may be considered a normal number for a member of his species.
- Malcolm's classmate in Malcolm in the Middle episode 314 "Cynthia's Back" which aired 17 February 2002. Line: "I wonder if my third nipple can get me out of wrestling?"
- Dr. Archie Morris from ER television show.
- Mrs. Susandria from Adam Sandler's Eight Crazy Nights movie.
- Goldmember from Austin Powers in Goldmember has a third nipple.
References
- Healthwise "Accessory nipples (polythelia) and breast tissue (polymastia)" visted 26 Dec 2004
- BBC: Cancer hope over breast gene find
- My physical deformity
See also
- Accessory breast, a condition where an entire additional breast is present rather than simply an additional nipple
"Supernumerary nipple"