Axilla 767600 224995364 2008-07-11T11:01:34Z Excirial 5499713 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/59.162.195.27|59.162.195.27]] to last version by 216.86.113.139 (using [[WP:HG|Huggle]]) {{for|the bowling style in cricket|underarm bowling}} {{Refimprove|date=November 2007}} {{Infobox Anatomy | Name = {{PAGENAME}} | Latin = axilla | GraySubject = 149 | GrayPage = 585 | Image = Armpit by David Shankbone.jpg| Caption = Underarm of a male human| Image2 = Gray411.png | Caption2 = Deep muscles of the chest and front of the arm, with the boundaries of the axilla. | Precursor = | System = | Artery = [[axillary artery]] | Vein = [[axillary vein]] | Nerve = [[axillary nerve]], [[medial cord]], [[posterior cord]], [[lateral cord]] | Lymph = [[axillary lymph nodes]] | MeshName = Axilla | MeshNumber = A01.378.800.090 | DorlandsPre = a_76 | DorlandsSuf = 12171908 | }} The '''axilla''' (or '''armpit''', '''underarm''', or '''oxter''') is the area on the human body directly under the joint where the [[arm]] connects to the [[shoulder]]. ==Boundaries== Anatomically, the boundaries are as follows: <!-- Commented out because image was deleted: [[Image:Mitch_hewer-armpit.jpg]] --> {| class="wikitable" | || ''medially'': by the outer border of [[first rib]], superior border of [[scapula]], and posterior border of [[clavicle]]<ref name="titleAnaesthesia UK :�AnaesthesiaUK: Applied anatomy for upper limb blocks">{{cite web |url=http://www.anaesthesiauk.com/article.aspx?articleid=100359 |title=Anaesthesia UK :�AnaesthesiaUK: Applied anatomy for upper limb blocks |accessdate=2007-12-23 |format= |work=}}</ref> || |- | ''medially'': [[serratus anterior muscle|serratus anterior]] <ref name="titleLAB #4 PECTORAL REGION & Introduction to the Axilla">{{cite web |url=http://anatomy.iupui.edu/courses/gross-D501/Lab%20Instructions/Lab%204%20pectoral2%20%20region.htm |title=LAB #4 PECTORAL REGION & Introduction to the Axilla |accessdate=2007-12-23 |format= |work=}}</ref> and by the [[rib]]cage || ''anteriorly'': by the [[pectoralis major muscle|pectoralis major]], [[pectoralis minor muscle|minor]],<ref name="titleDissector Answers - Axilla and Arm">{{cite web |url=http://anatomy.med.umich.edu/limbs/axilla_ans.html#2o |title=Dissector Answers - Axilla and Arm |accessdate=2007-12-23 |format= |work=}}</ref> and [[subclavius muscle|subclavius]] <ref name="titleLAB #4 PECTORAL REGION & Introduction to the Axilla">{{cite web |url=http://anatomy.iupui.edu/courses/gross-D501/Lab%20Instructions/Lab%204%20pectoral2%20%20region.htm |title=LAB #4 PECTORAL REGION & Introduction to the Axilla |accessdate=2007-12-23 |format= |work=}}</ref> (see also [[anterior axillary fold]]) ''posteriorly'': by the [[subscapularis muscle|subscapularis]] above, and [[teres major]] and [[latissimus dorsi]] below<ref name="titleLAB #4 PECTORAL REGION & Introduction to the Axilla">{{cite web |url=http://anatomy.iupui.edu/courses/gross-D501/Lab%20Instructions/Lab%204%20pectoral2%20%20region.htm |title=LAB #4 PECTORAL REGION & Introduction to the Axilla |accessdate=2007-12-23 |format= |work=}}</ref> (see also [[posterior axillary fold]]) || ''laterally'': by the [[intertubercular sulcus]] <ref name="titleDissector Answers - Axilla and Arm">{{cite web |url=http://anatomy.med.umich.edu/limbs/axilla_ans.html#2o |title=Dissector Answers - Axilla and Arm |accessdate=2007-12-23 |format= |work=}}</ref> ([[coracobrachialis muscle|coracobrachialis]] and the short head of the [[biceps brachii muscle|biceps brachii]] are ''in'' the axilla.)<ref name="titleLAB #4 PECTORAL REGION & Introduction to the Axilla">{{cite web |url=http://anatomy.iupui.edu/courses/gross-D501/Lab%20Instructions/Lab%204%20pectoral2%20%20region.htm |title=LAB #4 PECTORAL REGION & Introduction to the Axilla |accessdate=2007-12-23 |format= |work=}}</ref> |- | || ''floor/base'': by the skin<ref name="titleAnaesthesia UK :�AnaesthesiaUK: Applied anatomy for upper limb blocks">{{cite web |url=http://www.anaesthesiauk.com/article.aspx?articleid=100359 |title=Anaesthesia UK :�AnaesthesiaUK: Applied anatomy for upper limb blocks |accessdate=2007-12-23 |format= |work=}}</ref> (visible surface of armpit) || |} The contents of the axilla include the axillary vein and artery, as well as the brachial plexus, lymph nodes and fat. ==Medical significance== The axilla is one of the four sites (the other three being the mouth, rectum, and ear canal) in which a [[medical thermometer]] may be inserted in order to measure body temperature. ==Underarm hair== {{main|Underarm hair}} [[Image:Armpit.jpg|thumb|150px|right|Underarm of a female human]] [[Underarm hair]] usually grows in the underarms of both [[female]]s and [[male]]s, beginning in [[puberty|adolescence]]. In modern [[Western culture]], it is common for women to remove underarm hair for [[aesthetic]] reasons, while men tend to keep it. Throughout the [[feminist]] movement, previously in the [[hippie]] culture, and in some areas of the [[punk rock]] scene, some women choose to keep their underarm hair for a variety of reasons, from subversion to egalitarianism to comfort. ==Body odor== [[Body odor]] develops in the underarms due in part to the waste products of [[microorganisms]] that feed on [[sebum]], the fatty secretions produced by [[apocrine]] glands. A wide variety of [[deodorant]] and antiperspirant products are sold for the purpose of mitigating this odor. ==Cultural significance== The underarms are among the locations in the human body which are most vulnerable to [[tickling]]. The sexual attraction to the underarms is called [[axillism]]. ==Terminology== The term '''oxter''', pronounced 'ock-ster' is most often used in [[Scotland]],<ref name="titleBBC - Voices - Multilingual Nation">{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/voices/multilingual/scots.shtml |title=BBC - Voices - Multilingual Nation |accessdate=2007-12-23 |format= |work=}}</ref> northern [[England]], and [[Ireland]]. Northern Ireland generally replaces all other names of underarm for oxter. The term "underarm" only refers to the outer surface of the axilla.<ref>{{Dorlands|a_61|12152705}}</ref> However, the terms are sometimes used interchangeably in casual contexts. Colloquially, ''armpit'' refers to an object or place which is smelly, greasy or otherwise undesirable.<ref name="titleDefinition of armpit - Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary">{{cite web |url=http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/armpit |title=Definition of armpit - Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary |accessdate=2007-12-23 |format= |work=}}</ref> ==Additional images== <center><gallery> Image:Gray410.png|Superficial muscles of the chest and front of the arm. Image:Gray523.png|Axillary artery and its branches - anterior view of right upper limb and thorax. Image:Gray576.png|The veins of the right axilla, viewed from in front. Image:Gray809.png|The right brachial plexus (infraclavicular portion) in the axillary fossa; viewed from below and in front. Image:Gray1215.png|The left side of the thorax. </gallery></center> ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== * {{eMedicineDictionary|axilla}} * {{NormanAnatomy|lesson3axilla}} * {{NormanAnatomy|lesson3axillarywalls}} {{Upper limb general}} [[Category:Upper limb anatomy]] [[ar:إبط]] [[gn:Jyvaguy]] [[de:Achsel]] [[es:Axila]] [[eo:Akselo]] [[fr:Aisselle]] [[gd:Achlais]] [[ko:겨드랑이]] [[id:Ketiak]] [[io:Axelo]] [[it:Ascella (anatomia)]] [[la:Axilla]] [[lt:Pažastis]] [[nl:Oksel]] [[ja:脇]] [[pl:Dół pachowy]] [[pt:Axila]] [[scn:Ascidda]] [[fi:Kainalo]] [[sv:Armhåla]] [[tl:Kilikili]]