Outie

An outie is a colloquial term for a protruding belly button (navel), in contrast to an innie, which sits inward. The shape of the navel is influenced by how the umbilical scar forms after birth and by the strength and configuration of the abdominal wall.

In infancy, navels may appear as an outie during the healing of the umbilical stump; as scar tissue develops and the surrounding tissues tighten, some navels settle into an inward position. A protrusion that is noticeable and persistent can also result from an umbilical hernia, in which abdominal contents push through the abdominal wall at the navel. Umbilical hernias are common in infants and most often close on their own by early childhood; rare cases persist and may require surgery.

In adults, a persistent outie may reflect a surviving hernia, scar variation, or natural anatomy. An outie that is painful, enlarging, red, swollen, or accompanied by fever, vomiting, or tenderness warrants medical evaluation to rule out a hernia or other issues.

Treatment is usually not needed for a normal newborn outie. If an umbilical hernia is diagnosed and does not resolve with growth, a pediatric surgeon may recommend surgical repair. Cosmetic alteration of the navel is uncommon and elective. The term outie is informal and not a medical diagnosis; clinicians use terms such as umbilical hernia or protruding umbilicus when describing the condition.