Why Nipples Have Bumps

Every day, millions of women around the country look into the mirror and ask themselves, "Why are there bumps on my nipples?" If you are one of these women, than chances are that you have nothing to worry about. If your nipple bumps are not overtly large or discolored, chances are that you simply possess a health set of breasts and nipples. Having bumps on or around your nipples is something that most women are affected by and have wondered about at least once in their lives. The technical name for these nipple bumps are Montgomery Tubercles and they are actually beneficial in maintaining the health of your nipples and breasts.

Anatomy of a Nipple

Before we go into a discussion of why most nipples have bumps, we should probably discuss the anatomy of the nipple in general. If that idea bores you, you may skip on ahead to the next section, titled "Nipple Bumps: AKA Montgomery Tubercles." The nipple, technically speaking, is a projection of simple skin emanating from the breast. It is an area of the body which has one of the highest concentrations of blood vessels and nerve endings, making them highly sensitive to certain external stimuli. Usually the nipple contains between 15 and 20 lactation pores which are arranged central to the nipple's point. Although their primary purpose is to provide a vehicle for transferring milk into an infants body, many people that in humans they also function to help attract potential male mating partners.

Nipple Bumps: AKA Montgomery Tubercles

The infamous nipple bumps, which are the actual topic of this article, are known as Montgomery Tubercles in the anatomically literate world. The bumps, or Tubercles are located in the areolae of the nipples, not the tips. They are actually sebaceous glands which excrete an oily solution known as "lipoid fluid". This fluid keeps the aureole and the nipple tip itself well lubricated and protected . It is believed that these secretions help to keep the nipples free of bacteria, which is important while nursing small children. The bumps tend to become enlarged during pregnancy and also at times during which the nipple themselves become engorged with blood and hardened (ie, when it's cold, or when aroused). The number of Montgomery Tubercles on the average nipple varies from between four and twenty eight bumps. Interestingly enough, Dr. William Fetherstone Montgomery (discoverer of the nature of nipple bumps and their function) once described Montgomery Tubercles (named after himself, of course) as "a constellation of miniature nipples scattered over a milky way".

Things about Nipple bumps that you SHOULD worry about

And so you see that having bumps on your nipples is nothing to be worried about. In reality, you should be more worried if you do not have nipple bumps as this could make you more prone to infection or passing on pathogens to nursing babies. However, do take precautions: If your nipple bumps are overtly large (and you are not pregnant) or in any noticeable way differently colored from the rest of your nipples, it is important that you see a doctor immediately. Large or discolored bumps may be a sign of various serious disorders and diseases.