oksels

Oksels are the armpits, the soft curved areas on either side of the upper torso where the arm meets the body. They lie beneath the shoulder and are bounded by skin folds, muscles, and underlying tissue. The skin of the oksels contains hair follicles and two main types of sweat glands: eccrine glands, which help regulate temperature, and apocrine glands, which are more concentrated in this region and become active at puberty. The apocrine secretions, in combination with skin bacteria, can produce body odor.

The oksels also contain a network of lymph nodes, known as axillary lymph nodes, which drain lymph from the upper limb, the chest wall, and, in women, the breast. This drainage is relevant in clinical contexts such as cancer staging and the evaluation of infections. Anatomically, the area includes subcutaneous fat and supports mobility of the shoulder.

The space is also involved in conditions such as hidradenitis suppurativa (chronic inflammation of hair follicles and sweat glands), folliculitis, and infections that can cause redness, swelling, or lumps. Sweat and odor can be influenced by hygiene, skin care products, and deodorants; irritation may occur from shaving or certain chemicals.

Typical care includes good hygiene, gentle skin care, and monitoring for persistent lumps, discharge, or severe pain, which require medical assessment. In summary, oksels are a functional anatomical region with roles in sweating, scent, and lymphatic drainage, and they are clinically notable for a range of benign and, rarely, more serious conditions.