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The armpit, or axilla, is a complex anatomical area where muscles, bones, fascia, nerves, blood vessels, and lymph nodes converge. It is a space between the side of the thorax and the upper arm, extending from the base of the neck to the rib cage, the top of the arm, and down to the skin of the armpit. The muscles in this area are essential for shoulder and arm function, and improper use can lead to neck tension and shoulder injuries. Armpit pain can result from muscle strain, overuse, or underlying conditions like infections, lupus, shingles, or, in rare cases, cancer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Area | Directly under the shoulder joint |
| Other Names | Underarm, Oxter |
| Shape | Cone-shaped |
| Boundaries | Lower posterior boundary, anterior boundary, collarbone, shoulder blade, ribs, arm bone |
| Functions | Important to the function of shoulders and arms |
| Blood Vessels | Axillary artery |
| Nerves | Brachial plexus |
| Lymph Nodes | More than 20 |
| Glands | Sweat glands, hair glands |
| Pain Causes | Muscle strain, mild muscle strain, physical stress, infection, lupus, shingles, peripheral artery disease, cancer, mastitis, dermatitis, abnormal growths, ingrown hair, lipomas, cysts |
| Pain Relief | Rest, ice, over-the-counter medicine, anti-inflammatory medication, pain medication |
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What You'll Learn
Armpit pain
The armpit, or axilla, is the area on the human body directly under the shoulder joint. It includes the axillary space, an anatomical space within the shoulder girdle between the arm and the thoracic cage. The armpit is home to several muscles, blood vessels, nerves, and lymph nodes.
One common reason for armpit pain is muscle strain. You can strain the muscles around your armpit by overdoing things, such as lifting something heavy or with repeated movements. Like other muscles in your body, any muscle in and around the armpit can become painful due to strain or a "pulled muscle". With a strain, a muscle or tendon is stretched to a point where it starts to tear. Symptoms of a muscle strain include pain or tenderness, especially after movement, and they can be treated with rest, ice, and over-the-counter medicine.
In addition to muscle strain, armpit pain can also be caused by swollen lymph nodes, which are small lumps of tissue that are part of the body's lymphatic system and help fight infection. Lymph nodes can become swollen and tender if you have an infection or illness, and they may also be a sign of cancer. Swollen lymph nodes caused by an infection usually improve when the infection goes away, but they can also indicate whole-body diseases like HIV, cat scratch fever, or lymphoma.
Other causes of armpit pain include skin issues such as contact dermatitis, which is an abnormal skin reaction to an irritant or allergen, and hidradenitis suppurativa, a chronic condition that causes inflammation of the sweat glands beneath the hair follicles. Armpit pain can also be caused by ingrown hairs, which can cause inflammation and pain and may allow bacteria to get into hair follicles, causing an abscess or boil. Certain products such as deodorants, soaps, and body sprays may also contain skin irritants and allergens that can lead to contact dermatitis.
If you are experiencing armpit pain, it is important to identify the cause and seek appropriate treatment. For mild muscle strains, rest, ice, and over-the-counter medicine can help. For skin issues, avoiding irritants and allergens may improve symptoms. However, if the pain is severe, persistent, or worsening, it may be a sign of a more serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.
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Lymph nodes
The armpit, or axilla, is a complex anatomical region where muscles, bones, nerves, blood vessels, and lymph nodes converge. Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped organs that are part of the body's lymphatic system, which helps fight infections. The axilla contains over 20 lymph nodes, which are clustered with most of the deep lymph nodes of the upper body.
Swollen lymph nodes in the armpit can be a sign of an infection or illness, such as a common cold, influenza, or mononucleosis. In some cases, they may also indicate a more serious condition, such as cancer, especially if the swelling is persistent and accompanied by other symptoms. For instance, swollen lymph nodes can be an early sign of breast cancer, and they may become enlarged due to the spread of cancerous cells to the lymphatic system.
It is important to note that any persistent swelling or lumps in the armpit should be examined by a doctor. While many causes of armpit pain and swelling are benign, prompt medical attention is crucial to rule out more serious conditions and ensure timely treatment.
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Muscle strain
The armpit, or axilla, is the area on the human body directly under the shoulder joint. It includes the axillary space, an anatomical space within the shoulder girdle between the arm and the thoracic cage. The armpit muscles are important for the function of the shoulders and arms. Without proper utilisation of these muscles, a person may overuse other areas such as the neck and the front of the shoulders, leading to severe neck tension and potential shoulder injuries.
Like other muscles in the body, you can strain the muscles around your armpit by overdoing certain activities, such as lifting heavy objects or repetitive movements. This can lead to a muscle strain, which is an injury to the muscles or tendons, where the fibres in the muscles and tendons may overstretch or tear.
Symptoms of a muscle strain depend on the severity of the strain. They can include pain or tenderness, especially after movement that stretches the muscle. For mild strains, doctors suggest resting the muscles by taking a break from the activity that caused the pain. Applying ice to the area and taking over-the-counter medication can help ease the pain and swelling.
If you experience armpit pain, it is important to determine the cause. In addition to muscle strain, armpit pain can be related to your menstrual cycle, an infection, or an underlying condition such as lupus or shingles. Swollen lymph nodes, which are common in the armpit, can indicate an infection or, in rare cases, cancer. If you experience persistent or severe armpit pain, it is important to consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
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Armpit anatomy
The armpit, or axilla, is a complex anatomical area of the body. It is a cone-shaped space bordered by four walls formed of bones, muscles, and fascia at the junction between the arm and torso. The axilla extends from the base of the neck to the rib cage, the top of the arm, and down to the skin of the armpit. It includes the axillary space, an anatomical space within the shoulder girdle between the arm and the thoracic cage. The axilla is bounded superiorly by the plane between the superior borders of the first rib, clavicle, and scapula.
The axilla contains several important muscles, including the serratus anterior, thoracolumbar fascia, pectoralis muscles, subscapularis, teres major, and latissimus dorsi. These muscles assist in scapula depression, a downward movement of the scapula, which is important for reducing neck tension. The latissimus dorsi and teres major muscles form the lower posterior boundary of the axilla, known as the posterior axillary fold.
The axilla also houses other important structures such as nerves, blood vessels, and lymph nodes. The nerves and blood vessels passing through the axilla supply the chest, upper back, arm, and hand. The axilla is home to more than 20 lymph nodes, which are small lumps of tissue that help fight infection. Swollen lymph nodes can indicate an infection or, in some cases, cancer.
Armpit pain can be caused by various factors, including muscle strain, infection, skin conditions, or, in rare cases, cancer. Muscle strain can occur due to overusing the muscles, such as through repetitive movements or lifting heavy weights. Poor posture, especially when working for long hours on computers, can also cause restrictions and inflammation in the muscles around the armpits.
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Armpit swelling
The armpit, or axilla, is the area on the human body directly under the shoulder joint. It includes the axillary space, an anatomical space within the shoulder girdle between the arm and the thoracic cage. The axilla contains the axillary vein and artery, the brachial plexus, lymph nodes, and fat.
The axilla has more than 20 lymph nodes, which are small lumps of tissue that are part of the body's lymphatic system and help fight infection. Lymph nodes play a vital role in the body's ability to fight off infections. When a person has an infection or injury, the lymph nodes may swell as they start to filter unwanted cells from the lymph. Lymph is a watery fluid that carries oxygen to the cells and transports waste products away from them. It also contains white blood cells, which help fight infections. As the lymph nodes begin to work harder to remove waste, they can enlarge.
Swollen lymph nodes in the armpit can be caused by bacterial or viral infections, such as the common cold, influenza, infectious mononucleosis, cellulitis, Lyme disease, or HIV. In addition, skin conditions such as axillary intertrigo, which is common among those who work in hot environments with restricted air circulation, can cause armpit swelling. Axillary intertrigo is an inflammatory skin condition of skin folds exposed to friction or maceration in the presence of heat and moisture. It is worsened by fungal, bacterial, or viral infections.
Other possible causes of armpit swelling include physical stress or overuse of muscles, mild muscle strain, cysts or abscesses under the skin, and more serious conditions such as breast cancer, leukemia, or lymphoma. It is important to see a doctor if you experience armpit swelling, as it could indicate an underlying health condition.
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Frequently asked questions
The armpit, or axilla, is an area of great complexity and clinical significance. It is a cone-shaped area bordered by four walls formed by bones, muscles, and fascia at the junction between your arm and torso.
The axilla includes the serratus anterior muscle, thoracolumbar fascia, pectoral muscles, subscapularis, teres major, and latissimus dorsi muscle.
Yes, armpit pain can be caused by muscle strain, overuse, or physical stress. It can also be a symptom of an underlying condition, such as an infection, lupus, shingles, or peripheral artery disease.
