Why do men have nipples?

Why women have nipples is clear: for breastfeeding. But in a man the nipples are in principle not necessary, they are there anyway. The explanation makes a lot of sense: this has to do with the development of babies in the womb.

Development

A lot happens in the first weeks after conception. The egg divides and after many divisions the egg becomes an embryo. These cells then form the organs. Around the second week, a nerve tube for the spinal cord forms. Between the third and fourth week, the heart beats and the blood vessels form. The liver and lungs are made and the brain is on its way. The baby is about the size of a strawberry around these weeks but already has a torso and the beginnings of the arms and legs. What happens between the seventh and eighth weeks is the answer to the question of why men have nipples: around this time the X or Y chromosome develops. This chromosome determines whether the baby will become a man (Y) or a woman (X). A man has two chromosomes: the Y and the X while the woman has twice the X. The Y thus distinguishes a man from a woman. The torso, including the nipples, thus grows before the sex has been determined. In principle, everyone is the same in the first 7 to 8 weeks of development. Then the genitals develop. Actually a very simple explanation.

Totally useless?

Do a man’s nipples have no use at all? Yes, of course they are not as useful as a woman’s, but they do have a function. The male nipples are also sensitive. In fact, they are just as sensitive as a woman. So it’s also a great erogenous zone for men.