The areola refers to the circular area of pigmented skin surrounding the nipple of the breast. It is typically a slightly darker shade than the rest of the breast and contains small bumps called Montgomery glands. The areola plays a role in breastfeeding as it contains numerous sebaceous glands that lubricate and protect the nipple during nursing.
Note: The provided meaning of the answer is for the latest New York Times crossword puzzle clue: Iris feature. Explanations are generated by AI and may be inaccurate.