a·re·o·la 
(
ə-r
ēə-l
ə, âr
′ē-
ōl
ə)
n. pl. a·re·o·lae (-l
ē′) or
a·re·o·las 1. A small ring of color around a center portion, as about the nipple of the breast or the part of the iris surrounding the pupil of the eye.
2. A small space or interstice in a tissue or part, such as the area bounded by small veins in a leaf or the wing of an insect. In both senses also called areole.
[Latin āreola, small open space, diminutive of ārea, open place; see AREA.]
a·reo·lar, a·reo·late (-lĭt) adj.
a·re′o·lation n.