Why Do Some People Have Innie Or Outie Belly Buttons? Here's What It Really Means
It is tied to your first few days on Earth.
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Some people assume belly buttons are genetic, like eye colour or whether you can roll your tongue. But that's not really the case.
What actually determines whether you end up with an innie or an outie is how your umbilical cord stump falls off and heals after birth.
When you're born, the doctor cuts the umbilical cord and leaves a small stump. Over time, this stump dries up, shrivels, and drops off.
The way your skin and tissue underneath heal, whether they cave inwards or puff out slightly, determines the shape of your belly button.
So it's not about how the doctor cuts it, and no, your parents didn't tie it wrongly.
Innies are far more common than outies, and there's a reason for that
Studies suggest around 90% of people have innie belly buttons, while only 10% have outies.
The reason?
Outies are usually caused by a small amount of extra scar tissue, or occasionally by an umbilical hernia, where a bit of tissue pokes through the abdominal wall while healing.
Most hernias resolve on their own, but sometimes they leave behind a visible bump.
So while innies are the standard result of healing, outies are kind of like a natural variation, like a birthmark or a cowlick.
They're not dangerous, they don't mean anything's wrong with you, and they don't change anything about your health.
TL;DR: Your belly button is basically your body's scar from birth
It's not a defect, and it's not destiny. It's just a unique little badge left behind from when you made your grand entrance into the world.
Whether you've got a dimpled innie or a proud outie, it's all normal, and honestly, kinda cool.
The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Information published in this article is not intended to replace, supplant or augment a consultation with a health professional regarding the reader's own medical care.
