Glands of Montgomery

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Glands of Montgomery are sebaceous glands in the areola (of the nipple). The glands makes oily secretions (lipoid fluid) to keep the areola and the nipple lubricated and protected.

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

The number of glands varies from low of four to high of twenty-eight.[1]

They are named after Dr. William Fetherstone Montgomery (1797-1859), an Irish obstetrician who first described them.

[edit] See also

[edit] Reference

  1. ^ What are Montgomery's tubercles?
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