Axilla
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2008-07-11T11:01:34Z
Excirial
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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]]