outies

An outie, or outie belly button, is a colloquial term for a navel that protrudes outward from the abdomen, in contrast to an innie, which is recessed. The umbilicus is the scar left after the umbilical cord is cut at birth, and its final shape depends on how the surrounding abdominal wall and scar tissue heal.

Most newborns have some outward bulge at the navel, and the scar often remodels over the first years of life to form an innie. Some people remain with an outward-navel appearance into adulthood. In some cases an outie is related to a small umbilical hernia, where tissue such as fat or, rarely, intestine protrudes through the abdominal wall at the umbilicus. Other times an outie simply reflects normal anatomical variation or thinning of tissues in that area.

Medical attention may be warranted if an outie is associated with pain, swelling, redness, discharge, or a noticeable bulge that changes with crying, coughing, or straining, as this can indicate an underlying hernia or other abdominal wall issue. In adults, a new or enlarging outie should be evaluated to rule out hernia or other conditions. Cosmetic concerns about an outie are common; some individuals seek procedures such as umbilicoplasty, though these carry standard surgical risks.

See also: Umbilicus, Umbilical hernia, Umibilicoplasty.