Areola

(Redirected from Areolae)
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Areola
Close-up view of human female breast showing the areola.
Cross section of the breast of a human female.

WikiDoc Resources for Areola

Articles

Most recent articles on Areola

Most cited articles on Areola

Review articles on Areola

Articles on Areola in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ

Media

Powerpoint slides on Areola

Images of Areola

Photos of Areola

Podcasts & MP3s on Areola

Videos on Areola

Evidence Based Medicine

Cochrane Collaboration on Areola

Bandolier on Areola

TRIP on Areola

Clinical Trials

Ongoing Trials on Areola at Clinical Trials.gov

Trial results on Areola

Clinical Trials on Areola at Google

Guidelines / Policies / Govt

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Areola

NICE Guidance on Areola

NHS PRODIGY Guidance

FDA on Areola

CDC on Areola

Books

Books on Areola

News

Areola in the news

Be alerted to news on Areola

News trends on Areola

Commentary

Blogs on Areola

Definitions

Definitions of Areola

Patient Resources / Community

Patient resources on Areola

Discussion groups on Areola

Patient Handouts on Areola

Directions to Hospitals Treating Areola

Risk calculators and risk factors for Areola

Healthcare Provider Resources

Symptoms of Areola

Causes & Risk Factors for Areola

Diagnostic studies for Areola

Treatment of Areola

Continuing Medical Education (CME)

CME Programs on Areola

International

Areola en Espanol

Areola en Francais

Business

Areola in the Marketplace

Patents on Areola

Experimental / Informatics

List of terms related to Areola

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]


In anatomy, the term areola, plural areolae, (diminutive of Latin area, "open place") is used to describe any small circular area such as the colored skin surrounding the nipple. While it is most commonly used to describe the pigmented area around the human nipple (areola mammae), it can also be used to describe other small circular areas such as the inflamed region surrounding a pimple.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary notes two pronunciations for the term areola; aREola and areOla, with speaker icon pronunciations.

The reason the color of the areola differs from that of the rest of the breast is that the areola roughly delineates where the ducts of the mammary glands are. Careful inspection of a mature human female nipple will reveal several small openings arranged radially around the tip of the nipple (lactiferous ducts) from where milk is released during lactation. Other small openings in the areola are sebaceous glands known as Montgomery's glands (or glands of Montgomery) which provide lubrication to protect the area around the nipple and assist with suckling during lactation. These can be quite obvious and raised above the surface of the areola, giving the appearance of "goose-flesh".

Two polymers contribute to the color of the areola in humans - brown eumelanin and pheomelanin, a red pigment. The relative amount of these pigments determines the color of the areola, which can vary greatly, ranging from pale pink to dark brown, but generally tending to be paler among people with lighter skin tones and darker among people with darker skin tones.

An individual's areolae may also change color over time in response to hormonal changes caused by menstruation, certain medications, and ageing. Most notably, the areolae may darken substantially during pregnancy. Some regression to the original color may occur after the baby is born but, again, this varies from individual to individual.

The size and shape of areolae is also highly variable, with those of sexually mature women usually being larger than those of men and prepubescent girls. Human areolae are mostly circular in shape but many women and some men have areolae that are noticeably elliptical.

The areolae of most men is around 25 mm (1 in) in diameter while those of sexually-mature women may range up to 100 mm (4 in) or more in diameter, with average sizes around 30 mm (1 3/8 in).[1] The areola of women who are lactating or who have particularly large breasts may be even larger.

References

  1. M. Hussain, L. Rynn, C. Riordan and P. J. Regan, Nipple-areola reconstruction: outcome assessment; European Journal of Plastic Surgery, Vol. 26, Num. 7, December, 2003

See also

Template:Female reproductive system

bg:Ареола cs:Prsní dvorec de:Brustwarze eo:Areolo is:Vörtubaugur nl:Areola fi:Nännipiha sv:Vårtgård

Template:WS