Nipples contain multiple tiny holes, not just one. These holes, called milk duct orifices or nipple pores, are where milk exits during lactation.
Location of Nipple Holes
The milk duct orifices are found both in the center and around the outer edge of the nipple. The number of holes varies, typically ranging from 4 to 18 per nipple. Think of it more like a "watering can" than a single "hosepipe," as one Reddit user described it. [^1]
Function of Nipple Holes
These tiny holes are not simply openings; they each have their own small sphincters to control milk flow and prevent leakage. [^2] The ducts leading to these orifices widen into saclike areas called ampullae just below the areola. These ampullae play a role in milk storage and release during breastfeeding. [^3]
[^1]: Reddit user comment on r/pregnant, December 9, 2020.
[^2]: Visible Body Blog, "Five Interesting Facts About Nipples," April 4, 2019.
[^3]: Verywell Health, "Breast Anatomy: Areola, Nipple, Milk Ducts & More," October 5, 2024.
