[Polythelia: About A Case And Litterature Review]

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Medicine
• Human Anatomy
• Developmental Biology

Background:

• Polythelia, or supernumerary nipples, is a congenital anomaly resulting from incomplete regression of the embryonic mammary ridge.
• This condition can occur along the embryonic milk line, typically from the axilla to the groin.
• While often asymptomatic, polythelia can sometimes be associated with other urogenital anomalies.

Observation:

• A case of polythelia was observed in a 32-year-old woman during pregnancy monitoring at the Gynecology-Obstetrics department.
• The patient presented with three pairs of nipples, totaling six nipples across both breasts.
• The anomaly was discovered incidentally during routine antenatal care.

Findings:

• During the postpartum period, a significant finding was the lactation from five of the six supernumerary nipples.
• This indicates functional glandular tissue development in the accessory nipples.
• The primary nipple on each breast also exhibited normal lactation.

Implications:

• This case highlights the potential functional capacity of supernumerary nipples, including lactation.
• Understanding polythelia is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management in obstetrics and gynecology.
• Further research into the embryological and genetic factors influencing supernumerary nipple development and function is warranted.