Areolar glands or Glands of Montgomery are sebaceous gland

Sebaceous gland

The sebaceous glands are microscopic glands in the skin that secrete an oily/waxy matter, called sebum, to lubricate and waterproof the skin and hair of mammals...

s in the areola

Areola

This article is about the breast tissue. For the entomology term, see the glossary of Lepidopteran terms. For an artistic cloud motif, see aureola. For the cactus feature, see Areole....

 (of the nipple

Nipple

In its most general form, a nipple is a structure from which a fluid emanates. More specifically, it is the projection on the breasts or udder of a mammal by which breast milk is delivered to a mother's young. In this sense, it is often called a teat, especially when referring to non-humans, and...

). The glands make oily secretions (lipoid fluid) to keep the areola and the nipple lubricated and protected. Volatile compounds in these secretions may also serve as an olfactory stimulus for newborn appetite.

The portion of the gland on skin's surface is called Montgomery tubercles. The round bumps are found in the areola, and on the nipple itself. They can become exposed and raised when the nipple is stimulated. The skin over the surface opening is lubricated and tend to be smoother than the rest of the areola. The tubercles become more pronounced during pregnancy.

The number of glands varies from 4 to 28.

They are named after Dr. William Fetherstone Montgomery

William Fetherstone Montgomery

William Fetherstone Montgomery was an Irish obstetrician credited for first describing the Glands of Montgomery.Montgomery was born, raised and educated in Dublin, Ireland. He attended medical school at Trinity College, Dublin...

 (1797-1859), an Irish

Ireland

Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...

 obstetrician who first described them.