Montgomery's glands

Montgomery's glands or Areolar glands are sebaceous glands in the areola surrounding the nipple. The glands make oily secretions (lipoid fluid) to keep the areola and the nipple lubricated and protected.

Anatomy[edit | edit source]

File:Areolar gland.jpg

Montgomery's gland seen as small bumps on the areola

Montgomery's glands are present in both males and females, but they enlarge during pregnancy and lactation. They are named after the Irish obstetrician, William Fetherstone Montgomery, who first described them in detail in 1837.

The number of glands can vary greatly, usually averaging from 4 to 28 per breast. They appear as small bumps on the surface of the areola and have a primary function to secrete an oily fluid to provide lubrication and protection to the nipple during breastfeeding.

Function[edit | edit source]

The oily secretion from Montgomery's glands has several important functions:

It helps keep the nipple and areola lubricated, preventing the skin from drying, cracking or becoming infected.
It has antibacterial properties, which can protect the nipple from infection during breastfeeding.
It has a distinctive smell which may attract the baby to the nipple, aiding in breastfeeding.

Clinical significance[edit | edit source]

In some cases, Montgomery's glands can become blocked or infected, leading to a condition known as Montgomery's gland abscess. This can cause symptoms such as redness, swelling, and pain in the affected area. Treatment typically involves antibiotics and in some cases, surgical drainage may be required.