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Yes, a woman can genuinely have three breasts. The medical term is accessory breast tissue, also called polymastia or a supernumerary breast. The phrase “woman with 3 breasts” refers to two very different things: a real congenital condition affecting roughly 6% of people, and the heavily publicised cosmetic case of “Tridevil”, which experts widely called a hoax.
Table of Contents
- What is a woman with three breasts actually called in medicine?
- How common is it to have a third breast?
- How does accessory breast tissue develop?
- Was the “Tridevil” three-breasted woman real or a hoax?
- How is accessory breast tissue diagnosed and treated?
- What is it like to live with a third breast?
- What did the earliest medical reports of three breasts describe?
- Key Takeaways
- References
What is a woman with three breasts actually called in medicine?
A woman with three breasts has accessory breast tissue, also known as polymastia, a supernumerary breast, or mammae erraticae. These terms describe the same underlying phenomenon: the presence of additional breast tissue beyond the normal two breasts, according to Wikipedia.
The extra tissue usually appears along the milk line, most often in the armpit rather than as a neat third breast in the centre of the chest. Thomas Loeb, M.D. notes that a truly central third breast is anatomically unusual. The clinical description of accessory breast is an atavistic condition, meaning a throwback trait rather than a disease, as stated by Wikipedia.
True glandular breast tissue is different from a lipoma or fat lump. Many people who worry about a third breast actually have a lipoma, which is a benign fatty tumour. Dr Ivan Puah explains that accessory breast or axillary breast is breast tissue that builds up and is more common than people think.
How common is it to have a third breast?
Accessory breast tissue occurs in about six percent of people, according to E! Entertainment. Estimates vary between studies, and the true figure may be higher because many cases go unnoticed or undiagnosed.
Axillary breast tissue, which appears in the armpit, is more common than most people realise. Dr Ivan Puah states that accessory breast or axillary breast is breast tissue that builds up and is more common than people think. The condition occurs in women more often than men, though it is under-reported in both groups.
Many people only discover accessory breast tissue at puberty, pregnancy, or weight change. The tissue responds to the same hormonal signals as normal breast tissue, so it may swell during these periods. Wikipedia confirms that accessory breast tissue can become more noticeable when hormone levels shift.
How does accessory breast tissue develop?
Accessory breast tissue develops along the milk line during fetal growth, according to Instagram. The milk line runs from the armpit down to the groin on each side of the body. Extra breast tissue can form anywhere along this line, which is why accessory breasts usually appear in the axilla, or armpit.
This is a congenital variation present from birth, not something that grows later in life. Wikipedia describes accessory breast as an atavistic condition of having an additional breast. The tissue is present from embryonic development, even if it is not noticed until later.
The tissue can respond to the same hormonal signals as normal breast tissue. This is why accessory breast tissue may swell during puberty, pregnancy, or breastfeeding. Wikipedia notes that accessory breast tissue can become more apparent during these hormonal changes.
Was the “Tridevil” three-breasted woman real or a hoax?
No, the “Tridevil” three-breasted woman was widely dismissed as a hoax by experts. Jasmine Tridevil, who named herself “Jessica tri devil”, claimed to have paid around $20,000 for surgery to add a third breast, according to Reddit and Instagram.
Experts publicly called the three-breasted woman a hoax. Thomas Loeb, M.D. reports that the middle breast appeared perfectly formed in proportion, shape and position at first glance, which is anatomically implausible for a genuine third breast. No medical verification of the procedure was ever produced.
A surgically added third breast is not the same thing as congenital accessory breast tissue. Tridevil stated her motive was becoming a celebrity, according to Reddit. The case illustrates the difference between a real medical condition and a cosmetic publicity stunt.
How is accessory breast tissue diagnosed and treated?
Accessory breast tissue is diagnosed through clinical examination, with imaging such as ultrasound, mammography, or MRI used when the diagnosis is uncertain. Wikipedia notes that the condition is a recognised medical phenomenon with established diagnostic criteria.
Treatment is usually none at all unless the tissue causes pain, discomfort, or cosmetic concern. E! Entertainment describes excision as the standard surgical option. The surgeon in that source states she had never performed a third breast removal surgery before, showing how uncommon the procedure is.
The procedure is similar to removing lipomas or axillary tails of the breast under the armpit, according to E! Entertainment. Accessory breast tissue can be hormone-sensitive and, rarely, carries malignant potential, so persistent changes should be checked by a doctor. Wikipedia confirms this malignant potential.
What is it like to live with a third breast?
Living with a third breast can cause significant emotional distress. The patient featured by E! Entertainment first noticed the lump under her arm at age 14. She described tucking, hiding, or sucking in the lump to conceal it.
The concealment behaviour reflects the embarrassment and body image concerns many people with accessory breast tissue experience. Truly features a woman who publicly discussed her three breasts, showing the range of responses from concealment to openness.
Many people delay seeking help because of embarrassment. Removal can be life-changing for those who are self-conscious about the extra tissue, according to E! Entertainment. The emotional and social impact is often the main reason people pursue treatment.
What did the earliest medical reports of three breasts describe?
The earliest medical reports of three breasts date back well over a century. The BMJ published an article titled “Case of a Female with Three Breasts”, documenting the condition in a clinical setting.
Historical case reports focused on anatomy and physical description rather than treatment. Modern medicine has since classified these cases under accessory breast terminology, according to Wikipedia. The condition is a recognised medical phenomenon, not a modern internet myth.
Key Takeaways
- A woman can genuinely have three breasts; the clinical term is accessory breast tissue, also called polymastia or a supernumerary breast.
- Accessory breast tissue occurs in roughly 6% of people, though estimates vary and it is often undiagnosed.
- The extra tissue usually develops along the milk line during fetal growth and most commonly appears in the armpit.
- The “Tridevil” case was a claimed $20,000 cosmetic surgery that experts widely dismissed as a hoax.
- Treatment is usually unnecessary unless the tissue causes pain or distress, in which case excision is the standard option.
- Accessory breast tissue can respond to hormones and, rarely, carries malignant potential, so changes should be medically checked.
- The condition has been documented in medical literature for over a century, including a BMJ case report titled “Case of a Female with Three Breasts”.
References
- Woman With 3 Breasts Needs Dr. Q’s Help | Dr. 90210 | E!
- Accessory breast – Wikipedia
- Three-Breasted Woman: Fact or Fake? – Thomas Loeb, M.D.
- Can a woman have three breasts? | Amaris B. Clinic by Dr Ivan Puah
- Did you know that it’s actually possible for women to have three breasts? – Instagram
- What are your thoughts on this woman with three breasts? – Reddit
- Ever heard of women who have triple b**bs? – Instagram
- Three Breasted Woman: “My Boobs Are Real” – YouTube
- Case of a Female with Three Breasts | The BMJ
