<How DO organ stops arise from nipples?  Jean Cotterman, are you there? >

What a metaphor! Of course, anyone who has never observed that particular
musical instrument will be mystified by the term.

Maybe some will think you mean simply that the hugeness of the nipple
stops the organ of the breast from proceeding efficiently with its
function! And maybe there's some truth to that too!

I kid you not, I have been reading some embryology references today, and
came across something that may have a little relevance - or not!!
But I thought it was thought provoking enough to share.

One article has a description of the tissue beneath the outer dermal
layer (which will develop into the glandular structure in stages through
life.) This tissue underneath is described as: "very dense mesenchyme. .
. .from which will be derived the smooth muscle and the first layers of
connective tissue of the nipple; a second zone of less dense mesenchyme
will form the greatest part of the nipple. . . . . . .The galactophores
pass through the first two zones of mesenchyme. . . ."

This speaks to me of a genetically determined component contributing to
eventual nipple size, as well as it's degree of eversion, because it is
the proliferation (multiplication of cells during growth) of the
mesenchyme tissue that elevates the nipple above the surface of the
areola.

But of even more interest, 40 pages later, I have highlighted: "In the
human species, one also notes the early laying down of the connective
tissue, the septa of which form the predetermined routes for the future
growth and development of the epithelial tissues . . . .(he goes on for a
few sentences to describe this tissue from which will develop future
glandular tissue). . . . These structures are in part the result of an
active epithelial proliferation caused by HORMONAL CHANGES AT THE END OF
PREGNANCY. THIS PROLIFERATION DOES NOT OCCUR IN PREMATURE INFANTS."
(Emphasis mine)

As scientists, we as a profession have a wonderful opportunity to take
histories which include the (remembered) gestational age at which our
clients were born and the circumstances of their birth, (early induction?
their own mothers'/aunt's/sister's nipple stories/descriptions?) and
perhaps correlate it with the subsequent breast and nipple development
and course of lactation.

Some few may have the opportunity (with relatives/friends) to do long
range serial, close-up photography of nipples/breasts of premies and
normal newborn girls as they develop through stages of life into
motherhood. This might be of special interest in following progress of
eversion in the newborn period or the continued presence of inversion
from birth through to adulthood.

I DO have another life beyond reading/thinking about nipples and breasts,
honest!

Jean
************
K. Jean Cotterman RNC, IBCLC
Dayton, Ohio USA



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