areola

American  

[uh-ree-uh-luh] / əˈri ə lə /

noun

Biology.

plural

areolae, areolas

1. a ring of color, as around the human nipple.

2. a small interstice, as between the fibers of connective tissue.

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areola British  

/ əˈrɪələ, əˌrɪəˈleɪʃən, -ˌleɪt, əˈrɪəlɪt /

noun

1. anatomy any small circular area, such as the pigmented ring around the human nipple or the inflamed area surrounding a pimple

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Other Word Forms

• areolar adjective
• areolate adjective
• areolated adjective
• areolation noun
• multiareolate adjective

Etymology

Origin of areola

1655–65; < Latin, equivalent to āre ( a ) area + -ola -ole ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

A Facebook spokesperson said the site allowed images of post-mastectomy areola tattoos on a page or profile but not within advertising.

From BBC • Aug. 11, 2021

Receiving the areola tattoos after breast reconstruction surgery made Provenza feel complete again.

From Washington Times • Oct. 23, 2016

If the nipple and areola have been removed, the woman can decide whether she wants to get a tattoo to mimic the look, or she may seek something artistic to create a new appearance.

From Washington Times • Oct. 22, 2016

In most cases, surgeons remove the nipple and areola as a safeguard as well.

From Washington Times • Feb. 29, 2016

An ulcer surrounded by an inflammatory areola and the granulation tissue together illustrates the etiology of cicatricial tissue.

From Bronchoscopy and Esophagoscopy A Manual of Peroral Endoscopy and Laryngeal Surgery by Jackson, Chevalier