Logan Steele
The axilla, commonly known as the armpit, underarm, or oxter, 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 is bounded superiorly by the serratus anterior muscle and thoracolumbar fascia, anteriorly by the pectoralis muscles, and posteriorly by the subscapularis, teres major, and latissimus dorsi muscles. The coracobrachialis is a small muscle located in the front compartment of the upper arm, close to the armpit, and it assists in upper arm adduction and flexion. The pectoralis muscle, which stretches from the armpit to the collarbone, is also important for the function of the shoulders and arms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Area | Directly under the shoulder joint |
| Includes | Axillary space, an anatomical space within the shoulder girdle between the arm and the thoracic cage |
| Bounded superiorly by | The imaginary plane between the superior borders of the first rib, clavicle, and scapula |
| Bounded medially by | The serratus anterior muscle and thoracolumbar fascia |
| Bounded anteriorly by | The pectoral muscles |
| Bounded posteriorly by | The subscapularis, teres major, and latissimus dorsi muscle |
| Contains | Hair and sweat glands, axillary vein and artery, brachial plexus, lymph nodes, and fat |
| Blood vessels and nerves | Pass relatively superficially |
| Muscle | Coracobrachialis |
| Muscle shape | Small and slender |
| Muscle location | Front and top of the upper arm, close to the armpit |
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What You'll Learn
- The coracobrachialis muscle is a small muscle near the armpit
- The pectoralis muscle is a large fan-shaped muscle stretching from the armpit to the collarbone
- The axilla, or armpit, includes the axillary space, an anatomical space within the shoulder girdle
- The axilla contains the axillary vein and artery, the brachial plexus, lymph nodes, and fat
- Teres major, a muscle in the armpit area, is involved in shoulder extension
The coracobrachialis muscle is a small muscle near the armpit
The armpit, or axilla, is an area of the body under the shoulder joint, between the arm and the thoracic cage. It contains several muscles, including the serratus anterior, pectoralis minor, subscapularis, teres major, and latissimus dorsi.
One muscle located near the armpit is the coracobrachialis muscle. This muscle is not one of the most prominent arm muscles, and it doesn't play a significant role in moving the arm. However, it can become tight from certain activities and can be a hidden source of shoulder or arm pain. The coracobrachialis muscle is a small muscle located at the front and top of the upper arm, starting from the shoulder joint and inserting into the upper arm bone about halfway down, on the armpit side. It lies deeper, tucked in the groove between the biceps and triceps muscles.
The coracobrachialis muscle has a supporting role in several functions. It helps with flexion, or bringing the upper arm forward, adduction, or bringing the arms back down to the sides, and internal rotation, or bringing the arms inward toward the body. It also contributes to shoulder stability by holding the upper arm bone within the shoulder socket during rotation.
The muscle can be strained by activities that involve frequent use of the coracobrachialis, such as doing push-ups, swinging on gymnast rings, or carrying heavy bags. Overuse of the muscle can lead to stiffening and pain in the arm and shoulder, radiating down to the back of the hand.
In summary, the coracobrachialis muscle is a small muscle located near the armpit that plays a supporting role in arm and shoulder movements. It can be prone to strain and tightness with certain activities, potentially causing pain in the surrounding areas.
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The pectoralis muscle is a large fan-shaped muscle stretching from the armpit to the collarbone
The pectoralis muscle is a large fan-shaped muscle that plays an important role in the function of the shoulders and arms. It is made up of the pectoralis major and pectoralis minor muscles, which together stretch from the armpit to the collarbone and down across the lower chest region on both sides of the chest. The pectoralis major is a powerful muscle that enables the inward rotation of the arm and moves it closer to the body. It connects the chest wall with the upper arm bone (humerus) and the shoulder.
The pectoralis muscle is one of the main muscles responsible for shoulder adduction and abduction—the movement of lowering the arm towards and lifting the arm away from the body, respectively. It also moves each shoulder joint in four distinct directions and keeps the arms attached to the body. The pectoralis major is the muscle that is developed through bench press exercises.
Pectoralis muscle tears can occur when a force goes through the muscle and tendon that is greater than they can withstand. This can happen during weight training, such as bench press, chest press, or pectoral fly, or even in contact sports. Tears can also occur when the tendon attaching the muscle to the upper arm bone is damaged as a result of trauma or injury. Tears can be partial or complete, and the treatment method—surgical or non-surgical—depends on the type and severity of the injury, as well as the patient's general health and activity level.
The coracobrachialis is another muscle located close to the armpit. It is a small, hidden muscle at the front and top of the upper arm, starting from the shoulder joint and inserting into the upper arm bone about halfway down, on the armpit side. It assists in upper arm adduction and flexion, and it can be a hidden source of shoulder or arm pain.
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The axilla, or armpit, includes the axillary space, an anatomical space within the shoulder girdle
The axilla, or armpit, 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 is bounded by several muscles and anatomical walls. The superior wall is formed by the clavicle, scapula, and first rib, while the serratus anterior muscle and thoracolumbar fascia make up the medial wall, along with the first four ribs. The anterior wall consists of the pectoralis major and minor muscles, and the posterior wall is formed by the subscapularis, teres major, and latissimus dorsi muscles.
The axilla is a crucial region for several neurovascular and lymphatic structures. It contains the axillary artery, which is a continuation of the subclavian artery, and the axillary vein, which receives deoxygenated blood from various tributaries. The axillary artery supplies blood to the shoulder, upper arm, and intercostal muscles. The axillary vein becomes the subclavian vein after exiting the apex of the axilla. The brachial plexus, a network of nerves, courses through the axilla, giving rise to peripheral nerves that supply the muscles of the shoulder girdle, chest, and upper limbs.
The axilla also contains lymph nodes, which are important for processing lymph from the upper extremity and chest. Axillary lymph nodes can be biopsied for diagnostic purposes, and they play a role in the spread of certain cancers, such as breast cancer. Additionally, the axillary region includes the short head of the Biceps Brachii muscle, coracobrachialis muscle, fascia, and adipose tissue.
The axilla is susceptible to inflammatory skin conditions, such as axillary intertrigo, which occurs due to excessive perspiration, restricted air circulation, and fungal or bacterial infections. This condition can result in rash-like symptoms, pustules, or chronic itching and burning sensations in the underarm. The axilla is also known for its role in body odour formation, which may be related to the production of pheromones, although this is a controversial topic.
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The axilla contains the axillary vein and artery, the brachial plexus, lymph nodes, and fat
The axilla, or armpit, is a small anatomical space located between the upper thoracic wall and the arm. It contains the axillary vein and artery, the brachial plexus, lymph nodes, and fat.
The axillary vein is the main vein that drains the upper limb. Its two largest tributaries are the cephalic and basilic veins. The axillary vein is accompanied by the axillary artery, which is a large blood vessel that conveys oxygenated blood to the lateral aspect of the thorax, the axilla, and the upper limb. The axillary artery is commonly referred to as having three parts, with these divisions based on its location relative to the pectoralis minor muscle.
The brachial plexus is a collection of spinal nerves that form the peripheral nerves of the upper limb. These nerves can become injured during axillary lymph node surgery. The axillary lymph nodes are of particular clinical significance as they are often the first site of breast cancer metastasis. Approximately 75% of lymph from the breast drains into the axillary lymph nodes, which can be biopsied if breast cancer is suspected.
The axilla also contains fat, specifically an axillary pad of fat in which the axillary lymph nodes reside. This fat is located within the pyramidal shape of the axilla, which is based on the musculature in the region.
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Teres major, a muscle in the armpit area, is involved in shoulder extension
The armpit, also known as the axilla, is the area on the human body directly under the shoulder joint. The axilla includes the axillary space, which is an anatomical space within the shoulder girdle between the arm and the thoracic cage. The axilla contains important arteries and veins, as well as nerves, lymph nodes, and fat.
The teres major muscle is located in the axillary space, along with the teres minor muscle. The teres major is a thick muscle of the shoulder joint that assists in the extension and medial rotation of the humerus. It is one of the seven scapulohumeral muscles that act around the glenohumeral joint to facilitate shoulder movement. The teres major originates on the dorsal surface of the inferior angle and the lower part of the lateral border of the scapula, and its fibers insert into the medial lip of the intertubercular sulcus of the humerus.
The main function of the teres major muscle is to produce movements of the arm on the shoulder joint. By contracting, it pulls the humerus posteriorly (extension) and rotates it medially towards the trunk (internal rotation). It also assists the latissimus dorsi in drawing the previously raised humerus downwards and backwards. Additionally, the teres major contributes to the stabilization of the shoulder joint and the glenoid cavity.
The teres major muscle is prone to the development of trigger points, which can cause pain and difficulties in abducting and elevating the arm. Teres major injuries resulting from workouts can usually be cured with a proper warm-up before exercising, as this helps loosen the muscles and tissues and makes them more flexible. Strengthening exercises for the teres major include the seated row with a resistance band, lat pulldown, and chin-up, while stretches include the side reach lat stretch and kneeling lat stretch.
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Frequently asked questions
The axilla, or armpit, includes the serratus anterior muscle and thoracolumbar fascia, anteriorly by the pectoralis muscles and posteriorly by the subscapularis, teres major and latissimus dorsi muscle. The pectoralis muscle is comprised of the pectoralis major and pectoralis minor muscles that stretch from the armpit to the collarbone. The coracobrachialis muscle is also located close to the armpit.
The muscles in the armpit are important for the function of the shoulders and arms. For example, the pectoralis major moves each shoulder joint in four distinct directions and also keeps the arms attached to the body. The coracobrachialis assists in upper arm adduction and flexion.
There are various exercises to strengthen the armpit muscles, such as hand pumps supine. This exercise uses mini balls or soup cans which are placed under the hands and rolled away from the shoulders.
