Thorax: breast areolar glands: practice question

A Anatomy question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Anatomy · Thorax: breast areolar glands

Sample item

During pregnancy a woman notices small raised nodules scattered around her areola. What are these structures?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Modified sebaceous glands of the areola

The small elevations on the areola are the areolar glands (tubercles of Montgomery), which are modified sebaceous glands. They enlarge in pregnancy and secrete an oily substance that lubricates and protects the nipple during suckling.

Option by option

  • A. Eccrine sweat glands of the nipple

    The areola has no significant eccrine glands producing these nodules; they are sebaceous.

  • B. Modified sebaceous glands of the areola (correct)

    Correct. They are modified sebaceous glands that lubricate the nipple.

  • C. Accessory mammary lobules

    Accessory mammary tissue is a different anomaly, usually along the milk line.

  • D. Openings of the lactiferous ducts

    Lactiferous ducts open on the nipple itself, not on the areolar surface.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Anatomy question

What is the answer to this Anatomy question?

The best answer is B, Modified sebaceous glands of the areola. The small elevations on the areola are the areolar glands (tubercles of Montgomery), which are modified sebaceous glands.

Why is "Eccrine sweat glands of the nipple" not the answer?

The areola has no significant eccrine glands producing these nodules; they are sebaceous.

Why is "Accessory mammary lobules" not the answer?

Accessory mammary tissue is a different anomaly, usually along the milk line.

Why is "Openings of the lactiferous ducts" not the answer?

Lactiferous ducts open on the nipple itself, not on the areolar surface.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Thorax: breast areolar glands in Anatomy. They enlarge in pregnancy and secrete an oily substance that lubricates and protects the nipple during suckling.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Thorax: breast areolar glands?

Learn every nerve by its route, its muscles and what a lesion looks like at the bedside. That one habit answers a large share of questions. Then use the flashcards and the other Anatomy questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.