Areolar gland

{{Short description|Oil glands around the nipple that promote breastfeeding}} {{Infobox anatomy | Name = Areolar glands | Latin = glandulae areolares | Image = Glandulae areolares.jpg | Caption = The small bumps surrounding the nipple are areolar glands. | Width = | Precursor = | System = | Artery = | Vein = | Nerve = | Lymph = | Function = Lubricate [[nipple]], promote [[breastfeeding]] }}

'''Areolar glands''', also known as '''glandulae areolares''', '''Montgomery glands''', and '''tubercula areolae''', are 10–15 elevations found on the [[areola]]. They are usually arranged in a circle around the [[nipple]], and can be particularly visible when the nipple is erect. Their role is to promote adequate [[breastfeeding]] of the infant.

They are [[sebaceous gland]]s, which secrete [[Sebaceous gland#sebum|sebum oil]], a [[Fatty acid#Free fatty acids|free fatty acid]], onto the skin that lubricates the nipple when breastfeeding, protects the skin, and provides some air tightness between the infant's mouth and the nipple.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}} They also emit odor compounds into the air that attract babies.<ref name="Doucet-2009" />

In addition, a study of 121 [[White people|white]] mothers found that higher numbers of areolar glands on the breasts (commonly known as AG number) was [[Correlation|correlated]] with infants gaining weight faster and lactation beginning faster.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Doucet S, Soussignan R, Sagot P, Schaal B | title = An overlooked aspect of the human breast: areolar glands in relation with breastfeeding pattern, neonatal weight gain, and the dynamics of lactation | journal = Early Human Development | volume = 88 | issue = 2 | pages = 119–128 | date = February 2012 | pmid = 21852053 | doi = 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2011.07.020 }}</ref>

A meta-analysis shows that [[Odor|odor compounds]] emitted from lactating breasts reduced arousal states in active newborns, increases arousal states in sleepy newborns, and causes babies to turn their heads towards the breast, though the source of these effects were not strongly identified. A targeted study of 16 infants based on these observations has shown that these effects can be induced experimentally through a researcher directing a baby with areolar gland scent on a stick. Additionally, areolar gland scents cause these effects more strongly than milk or sebum odors.<ref name="Doucet-2009">{{cite journal | vauthors = Doucet S, Soussignan R, Sagot P, Schaal B | title = The secretion of areolar (Montgomery's) glands from lactating women elicits selective, unconditional responses in neonates | journal = PLOS ONE | volume = 4 | issue = 10 | pages = Ş | date = October 2009 | pmid = 19851461 | pmc = 2761488 | doi = 10.1371/journal.pone.0007579 | bibcode = 2009PLoSO...4.7579D | doi-access = free }}</ref>

== Structure == Areolar glands are round bumps found in the [[areola]], and sometimes on the [[nipple]].

=== Variation === The tubercles become more pronounced when the nipple is erect, and during [[pregnancy]]. The number of glands can vary greatly, usually averaging from 4 to 28 per [[breast]].<ref>{{cite web| vauthors = Donovan D |date=January 1, 2010|title=What are Montgomery's tubercles?|url=http://parenting.ivillage.com/pregnancy/pfirsttri/0,,469b,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100504202935/http://parenting.ivillage.com/pregnancy/pfirsttri/0,,469b,00.html|archive-date=May 4, 2010|access-date=June 2, 2008}}</ref>

== Function == Areolar glands make oily secretions (lipoid fluid) that keep the areola and the nipple lubricated and protected.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}}

Volatile compounds in these secretions may also serve as an olfactory stimulus for newborn appetite.<ref name="Doucet-2009" />

Areolar glands, particularly during pregnancy and lactation, emit odors that reliably prompt newborns to turn toward the breast and locate the nipple. Cleaning the breast or masking these scents makes it more difficult for newborns to find the nipple and obtain their critical first drink of immunoprotective [[colostrum]].<ref name="Doucet-2009" />

They can become exposed and raised when the nipple is stimulated. The skin over the surface opening is lubricated and tends to be smoother than the rest of the areola.

== Clinical significance == Areolar glands may secrete excessive amounts of oil.<ref name="Heyman-1983">{{cite journal | vauthors = Heyman RB, Rauh JL | title = Areolar gland discharge in adolescent females | journal = Journal of Adolescent Health Care | volume = 4 | issue = 4 | pages = 285–286 | date = December 1983 | pmid = 6227594 | doi = 10.1016/S0197-0070(83)80013-8 }}</ref> This is a neutral condition that rarely represents any underlying problem, unlike [[Galactorrhea|the spontaneous flow of milk from the breast]].<ref name="Heyman-1983" />

== History == Areolar glands may also be called glands of Montgomery, or Montgomery tubercles. They are named after Dr. [[William Fetherstone Montgomery]] (1797–1859), an [[Ireland|Irish]] [[obstetrician]] who first described them in 1837.<ref>{{WhoNamedIt|synd|1513}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | vauthors = Montgomery WF |title=An exposition of the signs and symptoms of pregnancy, the period of human gestation, and the signs of delivery |year=1837 |location=London |publisher=Sherwood, Gilbert and Piper |oclc=738411950 |url=https://archive.org/details/exposgn00mont}}{{Page needed|date=February 2013}}</ref>

== See also == * [[Cracked nipple]] * [[List of specialized glands within the human integumentary system]]

== References == {{Reflist}}

[[Category:Breast anatomy]] [[Category:Exocrine system]] [[Category:Glands]] [[Category:Human female endocrine system]]