[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Anatomy](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/) › [Chest](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/chest/) › Areola [Skin](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/skin/) · [Chest](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/chest/) # Areola The areola is the ring of darker skin around the [nipple](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/nipple/); its small glands keep the nipple lubricated during breastfeeding. [See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=thorax&variant=female&select=areola&side=r) Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed. ## What it is The pigmented ring of skin around the nipple, with small bumps: the areolar glands (Montgomery tubercles). ## What it does Its glands lubricate and protect the nipple during breastfeeding; it darkens in pregnancy. ## Key points - The subareolar lymphatic plexus drains to the same axillary sentinel nodes as the rest of the breast, so tracer for sentinel node biopsy is often injected around the areola - Areolar (Montgomery) tubercles enlarge and the areola darkens in pregnancy, among its early visible signs - The periareolar incision follows the edge of the pigmented skin, where the scar is least visible ## Key facts **Where** Pigmented circular skin around the nipple **Function** Areolar (Montgomery) glands lubricate during lactation; subareolar lymphatic plexus drains toward the axilla ## Relations **Deep** Lactiferous sinuses and smooth muscle fibres, with no layer of fat under the [skin](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/skin/) **Contents** Areolar (Montgomery) glands, sebaceous and sweat glands, smooth muscle and the subareolar lymphatic plexus ## How to find it The pigmented circle around the nipple, with small raised areolar glands near its edge. Many duct lesions lie just behind it, so a breast examination includes palpating under the areola, and its border guides periareolar incisions and tracer injection. ## Examination - Inspection of nipple and areola together: a red, scaly change that starts on the nipple and does not heal raises the question of Paget disease, while a change starting on the areola and sparing the nipple suggests eczema ## On imaging On mammography (craniocaudal and mediolateral oblique views) the nipple should be in profile; areolar skin is normally a little thicker than the rest. New retraction, thickening or a mass behind it needs workup. Ultrasound, angled under the nipple, shows the subareolar ducts in duct ectasia, abscess or fistula. MRI looks for an underlying cancer in Paget disease. ## Common problems - A blocked or infected areolar gland. - A new change in colour or a rash that does not heal needs a check (Paget disease). ## How it is diagnosed Examination; a biopsy if a rash or change persists. ## Treatment - Surgeons often hide incisions at its edge (periareolar incision) for biopsies, breast lifts and reductions. ## Clinical notes - Periductal mastitis and subareolar abscess occur outside lactation, mostly in smokers; they recur and can open onto the skin at the areolar edge as a mammary duct fistula - Its smooth muscle contracts with cold, touch and breastfeeding, wrinkling the skin and helping empty the sinuses - Changes in sensation of the nipple and areola are a recognized risk of periareolar incisions and of breast surgery in general ## Anatomical variants - Size and colour vary widely between people, from about 2.5 to 10 cm across; the pigment deepens in pregnancy and often stays darker afterwards ## Related conditions - [Acute mastitis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/acute-mastitis/) - [Breast abscess](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/breast-abscess/) ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## Why is tracer for sentinel node biopsy often injected around the areola? The subareolar lymphatic plexus drains to the same axillary sentinel nodes as the rest of the breast. ## How do the areola and its tubercles change in pregnancy? The areolar (Montgomery) tubercles enlarge and the areola darkens, among the early visible signs of pregnancy. ## Who typically gets periductal mastitis with subareolar abscess, and what can it lead to? Mostly smokers, outside lactation; it recurs and can open at the areolar edge as a mammary duct fistula. [Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/areola/) Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional. ## Its names **Official Latin (TA2)** areola mammae; glandulae areolares; tubercula areolae TA2 7106 **Official Spanish (DeCS)** Areola mamaria **English (TA2)** Areola Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [Anatomy, Thorax, Breast](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519575/); [Anatomy, Thorax: Mammary Gland](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547666/); [27.2 Anatomy and Physiology of the Ovarian Reproductive System](https://openstax.org/books/anatomy-and-physiology-2e/pages/27-2-anatomy-and-physiology-of-the-ovarian-reproductive-system) (OpenStax (Rice University), 2022) · adapted, [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/areola/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/areola/