Maximus Gage
The armpit, also known as the axilla, is a pyramid-shaped area located between the shoulder girdle and thorax. It contains several muscles, including the serratus anterior, pectoralis minor, latissimus dorsi, and teres major. These muscles are important for the function of the shoulders and arms, and their improper use can lead to overuse of the neck and front of the shoulders, resulting in severe neck tension and potential shoulder injuries. The axilla also includes the axillary vein and artery, the brachial plexus, lymph nodes, and fat. Strengthening and properly engaging these underarm muscles can help prevent neck and shoulder issues.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Area | Directly under the shoulder joint |
| Contains | Axillary space, an anatomical space within the shoulder girdle |
| Bounded superiorly | Plane between the superior borders of the first rib, clavicle, and scapula |
| Medial boundary | Serratus anterior muscle and thoracolumbar fascia |
| Anterior boundary | Pectoral muscles |
| Posterior boundary | Subscapularis, teres major, and latissimus dorsi muscle |
| Muscles | Pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi, teres major, teres minor, subscapularis, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, biceps brachii, coracobrachialis |
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What You'll Learn
The axilla (armpit) contains multiple muscles
The axilla, or armpit, is a pyramid-shaped area located between the side of the thorax and the upper arm. It is directly under the shoulder joint and contains an anatomical space within the shoulder girdle. The axilla includes the axillary space, which is bounded superiorly by an imaginary plane between the first rib, clavicle, and scapula.
The axilla contains several muscles that are important for the function of the shoulders and arms. These include the serratus anterior, pectoralis minor, and latissimus dorsi muscles. The serratus anterior muscle is located medially to the axilla, while the pectoralis minor muscle forms part of the anterior boundary, or anterior axillary fold. The latissimus dorsi muscle, along with the teres major muscle, forms the lower posterior boundary, or posterior axillary fold.
The axilla also contains the short head of the biceps brachii muscle and the coracobrachialis muscle. These muscles are involved in the internal and external rotation of the shoulder, along with other muscles such as the deltoid, pectoralis major, teres minor, infraspinatus, and subscapularis muscles. The deltoid and pectoralis major muscles are also involved in shoulder flexion, or forward movement, along with the coracobrachialis and biceps brachii muscles.
In addition to these muscles, the axilla contains neurovascular and lymphatic structures, including the axillary vein and artery, as well as the brachial plexus and lymph nodes. The axillary region is an important area for emitting body odour and contains many hair and sweat glands.
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Teres major, teres minor, and pectoralis minor muscles
The teres major is a small muscle that runs along the lateral border of the scapula, or shoulder blade bone. It is one of the four rotator cuff muscles that are involved in many shoulder pathologies, including quadrangular space syndrome. The teres major is sometimes called "lat's little helper" because of its synergistic action with the latissimus dorsi. Teres Major Strain often occurs when a proper warm-up is not done before workouts. The main symptom of a tear is a sudden sharp pain in the shoulder, upper arm, and armpit.
The teres minor, along with the infraspinatus, primarily produces external rotation of the shoulder joint. It assists in adduction and extension of the shoulder. When the humerus is stabilized, it abducts the inferior angle of the scapula. In concert with the other rotator cuff muscles, the teres minor is instrumental in providing stability to the shoulder joint and helps to hold the humeral head in the glenoid cavity of the scapula.
The pectoralis minor is a thin, triangular muscle located beneath the pectoralis major in the upper chest. It creates a passage between the ribs for the transit of the brachial plexus and both the subclavian artery and vein. The pectoralis minor works with the serratus anterior muscles to create a full range of movement for the scapula. It also elevates the ribs for deep inspiration when the pectoral girdle is fixed or elevated. A tense pectoralis minor muscle can entrap nerves in the armpit region, causing pain, numbness, and tingling down the arm and into the hand.
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The axillary region and its neurovascular and lymphatic structures
The axillary region, also known as the armpit, is a clinically important area that serves as a passageway for neurovascular and lymphatic structures to travel through to reach the upper extremity from the neck. It is a pyramid-shaped area located between the shoulder girdle and thorax, with the axillary artery and vein at its centre. The axillary artery is an extension of the subclavian artery and is encompassed by the axillary sheath and the brachial plexus cords and branches. The axillary vein runs medial to the artery along its length. The brachial plexus nerves surround the axillary artery and are named in reference to their position relative to the artery. These nerves descend in the axilla and supply the posterior and medial surface of the arm.
The axillary region also contains the short head of the Biceps Brachii muscle, coracobrachialis muscle, fascia and adipose tissue. The Biceps Brachii and coracobrachialis muscle tendons move through the axilla, where they attach to the coracoid process of the scapula. Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS) results from the compression of nerves and/or vessels at or around the apex of the axilla.
The axillary region also contains lymphatic structures, including the axillary lymph nodes, which filter lymphatic fluid that has drained from the upper limb and pectoral region. The axillary lymph nodes are divided into five groups, with the anterior group (pectoral group) draining the lymph from the anterolateral aspect of the abdominal wall, superior to the level of the umbilicus and the lateral quadrants of the breast. The posterior group (subscapular group) drains the superficial lymphatic vessels from the back. The breast is mostly drained through the axillary lymph vessels and nodes, and breast cancer can spread to the surrounding lymphatic system. Axillary lymph node enlargement is a non-specific indicator of breast cancer, and fine needle aspiration of lymph nodes can aid in diagnosis. If breast cancer is confirmed, the axillary nodes may need to be removed to prevent the cancer from spreading, which is known as axillary clearance.
The axillary region is a sensitive area due to the number of nerves it contains. Brachial plexus injuries may occur if the neck or upper extremity is forcefully stretched or trauma is inflicted upon the axillary region. Upper trunk injuries (C4-C6) are more common than lower trunk injuries (C7-T1). Axillary crutches can also cause unnecessary pressures and damage to the contents of the axilla if not properly fit, positioned, or used.
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The axillary vein, artery, and brachial plexus
The axilla, or armpit, is a space between the side of the thorax and the upper arm. 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, artery, and brachial plexus, as well as lymph nodes and fat.
The axillary artery is a large blood vessel that conveys oxygenated blood to the lateral aspect of the thorax, the axilla, and the upper limb. It originates at the lateral margin of the first rib and ends at the lower margin of the teres major, where it becomes the brachial artery. The axillary artery is often described in three parts, based on its location relative to the pectoralis minor muscle, which is superficial to the artery. The axillary vein accompanies the axillary artery, lying medial to it along its length.
The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that originate from spinal roots C5, C6, C7, C8, and T1, located between the anterior and middle scalene muscles. It innervates all the structures of the upper limb. The brachial plexus and axillary artery are typically located deep to the pectoralis minor and major muscles in the infraclavicular fossa. However, variations in anatomy have been observed, with the brachial plexus and axillary artery located between the pectoralis minor and major muscles in some cases.
The serratus anterior, latissimus dorsi, and pectoralis minor muscles are also located in the underarm/back area and are important for the function of the shoulders and arms. Without proper utilisation of these muscles, individuals may overuse the muscles in the neck and front of the shoulders, leading to tension and potential injuries.
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Importance of strengthening underarm muscles
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 several important muscles, including the serratus anterior, pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi, and teres major. These muscles are essential for the proper function of the shoulders and arms.
Strengthening the underarm muscles is important for several reasons. Firstly, it helps to improve upper body strength and posture. By strengthening the muscles in the axilla, such as the pectoralis major and minor, and the latissimus dorsi, you can improve your overall upper body strength, which can benefit activities such as lifting, typing, and driving. Additionally, strengthening the underarm muscles can help to reduce neck tension and pain. When the underarm muscles are weak, individuals tend to overuse the muscles in the neck and front of the shoulders, leading to severe neck tension and contributing to shoulder injuries. By strengthening the underarm muscles, you can alleviate this tension and improve your overall posture.
Furthermore, strengthening the underarm muscles can help tone the arms and reduce flabbiness. Exercises that target the triceps, biceps, and shoulders can help to firm and strengthen the arms, reducing the jiggle associated with underarm fat. While spot reduction, or targeting fat loss in a specific area, is generally ineffective, combining underarm exercises with overall weight loss through cardio and strength training can help to reduce underarm fat and improve tone.
Additionally, strengthening the underarm muscles can improve performance in upper body workouts. By learning how to activate the muscles within the axilla, you can enhance your performance in exercises targeting the arms, chest, and back. This can lead to more effective and efficient workouts, helping you to achieve your fitness goals faster.
Overall, strengthening the underarm muscles is important for improving upper body strength, reducing neck tension, toning the arms, and enhancing performance in upper body workouts. By incorporating specific exercises and focusing on proper technique, individuals can reap the benefits of stronger underarm muscles and improve their overall physical health.
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Frequently asked questions
The armpit, or axilla, contains several muscles including the serratus anterior, pectoralis minor, latissimus dorsi, teres major, and subscapularis.
The armpit muscles are important for the function of the shoulders and arms. These muscles help to stabilise the shoulder joint and allow for a range of motions, including flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, internal rotation, and external rotation.
To strengthen your armpit muscles, you can perform exercises that specifically target these muscles, such as the "hand pumps supine" exercise. It is also important to learn to engage your armpit muscles during everyday activities such as lifting, typing, and driving.
If you do not properly utilise your armpit muscles, you may experience overuse of the neck and front of the shoulders, leading to severe neck tension and contributing to shoulder injuries. Therefore, it is important to understand the proper engagement of your armpit muscles to maintain good posture and prevent pain and injuries.
