<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 ________________________________________________________________ YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET! Juno now offers FREE Internet Access! Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj. *********************************************** The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html