a·re·o·la 
(ə-rēə-lə, âr′ē-ōlə)
(ə-rēə-lə, âr′ē-ōlə)n. pl. a·re·o·lae (-lē′) 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.