Anatomy of an Ampit

An ampit, also called an axilla or a pouch of soft tissue, is located below the shoulder joint. While it’s a source of embarrassing wetness and hairy annoyance, it’s also an important juncture in the body, containing lymph nodes and numerous other tissues. Mental Floss sat down with Alex Berezow (senior fellow at the American Council on Science and Health) to better understand the anatomy and function of an ampit.

Before 1915, women were socially conditioned to cover most of their bodies, including their armpits. It was uncommon for a woman to expose her armpits, but an ad in Harper’s Bazaar suggested that women remove their “objectionable” underarm hair before taking the stage in Modern Dancing. This campaign changed how women felt about their body hair, and society’s expectations of what was acceptable.

Armpit lumps are benign, though they can cause concern. A swollen lymph node in the armpit can cause an armpit lump. Although it is usually harmless, it can become painful for up to two weeks and may grow in size. Apply hot water compresses daily to treat an armpit lump. A warm compress will increase blood circulation and reduce the size of the armpit lump.

The armpit can feel pain, in addition to muscle strain and infections. There are many other conditions that can cause pain in the armpit, including heart disease, shingles and acid reflux. People with obesity or diabetes are also more prone to experiencing pain in the armpit. Fortunately, most causes of armpit pain are minor and treatable with over-the-counter medicines or a warm compress. As long as they do not lead to life-threatening conditions, it’s best to seek medical treatment as soon as possible.

Although swelling in the armpit lymph nodes could be a sign that you have a cold or flu, they could also be a sign that you have a more serious condition. Inflammatory breast cancer is an aggressive form of breast cancer, and it is often curable when caught early. An armpit lump should be evaluated by a doctor to determine if there are any changes or symptoms. While simple conditions can be treated with over-the-counter or prescription medications, inflammatory breast cancer may require surgery to remove the lump.

An armpit that swells is an indication of an autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis. This is caused by an excessive amount of Staphylococcaceae bacteria at the armpit. If you’re looking for a deodorant, your armpit is an important place to check for staph infections. So, what causes swelling in the armpit?