why do i have 4 nipples?
468728
Its more common then you might think!\n\nDuring intrauterine life, (within the womb)\nNipples develop along the lines stretching from axilla to umbilicus. 4-5 on each side. These nipples gradually disappear with time leaving one on each side for most individuals.\nHowever, many a time 1-2 nipples may not undergo such process and remain!\n\nIf they are causing a problem, like pain or inflammation (red) then you must see a doctor.\n\nYou can also get them removed (easily) by plastic surgery for cosmetic reasons.
223449
Because they haven't quite finished evolving yet! Back when we were apes, every once in awhile Mama ape would go out with all of her girlfriends to the local cave tavern. Papa ape had to stay behind and feed Junior ape. Since there was no Mama ape around, and no milk man delivered any freshly squeezed milk from an anklysoaraus, then Papa ape had to resort to using his own nipples to provide Junior ape with the nourishment he needed to be a big strong hairy caveman.\n\nThe real answer is, because God created man with two nipples. End of story.
267783
WHY DO WOMEN HAVE BOOBS?
645957
All human embryos in the womb look the same externally, until testosterone is either added or not.  If not, the baby will develop physically as a girl, if the testosterone is added, the baby develops physically as a boy.  This is true regardless of the XX or XY chromosome of the baby.  The nipples develop prior to the addition of the testosterone.\n\nThey are there because the child could have developed as a woman, and the only purpose that I can think of that they have for men is perhaps a little thrill when your lover pinches them. :)
1152389
"To tell you the truth, nobody really knows. The best explanation I've been able to find (and frankly it doesn't explain very much) is that nipples aren't a sex-linked characteristic. In other words, nipples are just one of those sexually neutral pieces of equipment, like arms or brains, that humans get regardless of sex. "\n\nSee the Straight Dope for more information.
567336
Simple.\n\nIt's your body's involuntary reaction to try and keep itself warm. It's essentially much like when you get goosebumps. The skin around the hair follicles contract to stop heat from escaping. It's very likely to happen to the nipple because of the nipple's many nerve endings and blood vessels. So as the skin contracts, it stiffens, hence your nipples get "hard" when it is cold outside.\n\nIt can also be reaction to sexual arousal.
86883
b/c we all start out as females.... males retain some characteristic such as the nipples.\n\nthe purpose?.... a focus point to look at when your chillin by the pool in the summer with swim trunks on
1030685
None. Males and females are essentially the same during development until a hormonal event causes males to develop male genitalia. Because of this, we have some of the same physical characteristics and thus males have nipples.
510222
I THINK THATS MORE OF A GIRL THING . BUT I HAVE BOTH MY NIPPLES PIERCED, THIRTEEN RINGS IN MY SCROTUM, AND TWO PRINCE ALBERTS.  HOPE THAT HELPS YOU!
963375
you have nipples, they are probably inverted, so they go inward instead of out. There are special bras to whear that are supposed to help, but I think they can be uncomfortable.
64295
Sounds like you have an inverted nipple.  Some women have two of them.  My sister in law was unable to nurse her son because of it.  You might want to see your doctor about it.
1142012
I actually do know this.  In eutero, your nipples are formed before your sex organs develop.  Women go on to use hormones to create breasts, but for men, there is absolutely no reason to have them.\n\nThat is the 100% truth...
514687
All mammals are set up on a bilateral plan. Two arms, two legs, two eyes, two ears, two nostrils, two halves of the mouth and ideally are identical on either side. It has to do with the way the cells divide. So, humans would have to have an even number of nipples to maintain this symmetry.
471758
A female badger has four pairs (8 total) of nipples.
1123588
During pregnancy, the fetus inside the womb undergoes constant change in formation before finally being born.  All fetuses start off female, and require an extra hormone (XY chromosome) to start forming into a male.  So the nipples form before the male hormones are sent to the fetus.\n\nThere is one point in pregnancy where the fetus resembles a fish-like stage.  This is why humans have webbing in fingers and toes.  Crazy stuff, huh?
2744
When a child is conceived, it is firstly a girl. Later in its development it can turn into a boy. So the male nipples are probably a remainder of the girl he used to be when it was an embrio.
970056
Yes its normal.  You are talking the ones around your nipple right?