Axilla

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 of the axilla are:



The contents of the axilla include the axillary vein and artery, as well as the brachial plexus, lymph nodes and fat.Axilla is the space between the side of the thorax and the upper arm.

Terminology

The term "underarm" typically refers to the outer surface of the axilla. However, the terms are sometimes used interchangeably in casual contexts. Colloquially, armpit refers to an object or place which is smelly, greasy, hairy or otherwise undesirable.

The term oxter is most often used in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. In Northern Ireland "oxter" generally replaces all other names for the armpit.

Underarm hair

Underarm hair usually grows in the underarms of both females and males, beginning in adolescence.In modern Western culture, it is common for women to remove underarm hair for aesthetic reasons. As underarm hair grows quickly, shaving must be performed frequently, or else stubble will appear in the axilla.

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...
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