AXILLA, or ARMPIT, in anatomy, the cavity under the upper part of the arm; commonly the armpit. See ARM.
The Word is a diminutive of Axis; q.d. little Axis.
AXILLA, abscesses in the axilla are usually dangerous, on account of the many blood-vessels, lymphatics, nerves, etc. thereabout, which form large plexus’s. See ULCER. By the ancient laws, criminals were to be hanged by the axilla, if they were under the age of puberty. See HANGING, PUBERTY, etc.
AXILLA, in botany, is the space comprehended between the stems of plants and their leaves. See PLANT, STEM, LEAF, etc. Hence we say, those flowers grow in the axilla of the leaves, i.e. at the base of the leaves or their pedicles. See FLOWER, etc.
