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.
| Areolar glands | |
|---|---|
 The small bumps surrounding the nipple are areolar glands. | |
| Details | |
| Function | Lubricate nipple, promote breastfeeding |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | glandulae areolares |
| TA98 | A16.0.02.013 |
| TA2 | 7107 |
| FMA | 58090 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
They are sebaceous glands, which secrete sebum oil that is a 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] They also emit odor compounds into the air that attract babies.[1]
In addition, a study of 121 white mothers found that higher numbers of areolar glands on the breasts (commonly known as AG number) was correlated with infants gaining weight faster and lactation beginning faster.[2]
A meta-analysis shows that 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.[1]
Structure
editAreolar glands are round bumps found in the areola, and sometimes on the nipple.
Variation
editThe 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.[3]
Function
editAreolar glands make oily secretions (lipoid fluid) that keep the areola and the nipple lubricated and protected.[citation needed]
Volatile compounds in these secretions may also serve as an olfactory stimulus for newborn appetite.[1]
Areolar glands, especially during pregnancy and lactation, emit odors that reliably cause newborn babies to face the breast and locate the nipple. Cleaning the breast or otherwise masking these scents makes it harder for newborns to find the nipple, and to get an important first drink of immunoprotective colostrum.[1]
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
editAreolar glands may secrete excessive amounts of oil.[4] This is a neutral condition that rarely represents any underlying problem, unlike the spontaneous flow of milk from the breast.[4]
History
editAreolar glands may also be called glands of Montgomery, or Montgomery tubercles. They are named after Dr. William Fetherstone Montgomery (1797–1859), an Irish obstetrician who first described them in 1837.[5][6]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d Doucet S, Soussignan R, Sagot P, Schaal B (October 2009). "The secretion of areolar (Montgomery's) glands from lactating women elicits selective, unconditional responses in neonates". PLOS ONE. 4 (10): Ş. Bibcode:2009PLoSO...4.7579D. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0007579. PMC 2761488. PMID 19851461.
- ^ Doucet S, Soussignan R, Sagot P, Schaal B (February 2012). "An overlooked aspect of the human breast: areolar glands in relation with breastfeeding pattern, neonatal weight gain, and the dynamics of lactation". Early Human Development. 88 (2): 119–128. doi:10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2011.07.020. PMID 21852053.
- ^ Donovan D (January 1, 2010). "What are Montgomery's tubercles?". Archived from the original on May 4, 2010. Retrieved June 2, 2008.
- ^ a b Heyman RB, Rauh JL (December 1983). "Areolar gland discharge in adolescent females". Journal of Adolescent Health Care. 4 (4): 285–286. doi:10.1016/S0197-0070(83)80013-8. PMID 6227594.
- ^ synd/1513 at Who Named It?
- ^ Montgomery WF (1837). An exposition of the signs and symptoms of pregnancy, the period of human gestation, and the signs of delivery. London: Sherwood, Gilbert and Piper. OCLC 738411950.[page needed]
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