Nipple inversion refers to the nipple sinking into the areola, which can be congenital or triggered by trauma, tumor, inflammation and other factors.
Nipple inversion is mainly manifested as the nipple does not protrude from the areola plane, or even sinks down, resulting in a localized crater-like appearance, and it is clinically classified into three types according to the degree of inversion.
Clinically, nipple inversion is categorized into three types according to the degree of inversion. Type I is partial inversion of nipple, the neck of nipple is still there, and the nipple can be extruded by hand squeezing; type II is total inversion of nipple, no neck of nipple, but the nipple can still be extruded by hand squeezing; and type III is severe inversion of nipple, in which the nipple is buried under the areola, and it is not possible to extrude the nipple by hand squeezing.
Nipple inversion is mostly congenital, caused by abnormal development of fibrous tissue, smooth muscle or breast ducts of the nipple and areola, resulting in shortened breast ducts or muscle fiber bundles pulling the nipple inward, or triggered by underdevelopment of the tissues around the ducts and insufficient support for the nipple. In addition, breast cancer, traumatic scarring, and inflammation (e.g., mammary tuberculosis, etc.) can also trigger nipple inversion.
If the symptoms of nipple inversion affect the patient’s life or are accompanied by other discomforts, it is recommended that the patient consult a doctor in time.