Biology of the male chest?

[HolyTurtleOfDoom]

Hi, I just have a question about the chest area, which has interested me.

Why is it that when it's cold, someone with puffy nipples can see the areola actually shrink? Is there anything that actually causes this difference, like a muscle?

The second part follows on from that. Why does the gland cause puffy nipples, is it simply due to the dense fibrous nature of the gland that makes it harder to conform like regular fat?

Thanks for your time

[George Pope, M.D.]

Holy Turtle,

There is smooth muscle in the nipple areola area that contracts upon tactile or touch stimulation.  You have no voluntary control over smooth muscle, as opposed to skeletal  muscle that our muscles are composed of.  As this smooth muscle contracts, it tightens the areolar area and compresses the protruding tissue.  This glandular tissue behind the nipple areola is dense and pushes the skin forward, causing the puffy appearance.

Dr. Pope, MD