Chap. XL] 



THE AXILLA. 



181 



subscapularis muscle, the dorsalis scapulae crossing the 

 axillary edge of the bone, and the acromial branches 

 of the acromio-thoracic artery. 



The axilla. The axilla may be regarded sur- 

 gically as a passage between the neck and the upper 

 limb. Axillary tumours and abscesses may spread up 

 into the neck, and in like manner cervical growths and 

 purulent collections 

 may extend to the a - 

 arm-pit. The skin 

 forming the base of 

 the axilla is pro- 

 vided with many 

 short hairs and with 

 numerous sebaceous , 

 and sudoriferous 

 glands. In this in- 

 tegument small su- 

 perficial abscesses 

 are often met with, 

 that arise usually 

 from suppuration 

 of these glandular 

 structures, and that 

 are brought about 

 by the friction of 



the Skin against the Fig. 18.-Vertical Section throug-li the Axilla 

 , , . . and Shoulder-joint (Rudinger). 



clothing. Owing to 3> Scapula . ?f humerus . 



the tendency of the 



axillary integument 



to become chafed 



and inflamed under 



friction, the axilla is not a good locality to select for 



the use of the mercurial inunction as applied in 



syphilis. Beneath the skin and superficial fasciae is 



the axillary fascia, and beyond this dense membrane 



is the axillary space. The connective tissue with 



, clavicle ; 4, acroraion ; 

 a, trapezius; 6, supraspinatus ; c, subacromial 

 bursa and deltoid; d, circumflex artery and 



, 



nerve ; e.latissimusdorsi ; /, coraco-brachialis 

 g, subscapularis; h, serratus 

 illary artery ; j, axillary vein. 



and biceps ; 

 magnus ; i, a: 



