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What Causes A Prominent Tendon Across The Right Armpit?

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Posted on Thu, 26 Nov 2015
Question: I just noticed what appears to be a tendon running down the length of my right arm pit. It doesn't hurt at all but just seemed strange
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (58 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Can you upload a picture?

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,

If you can upload a few good quality pictures, that would help for me to know what it is.

Also, please feel it and try to describe it compared to other structures:
does it feel like a tendon (feel other tendons for comparison)
does it have the color of a vein?
is it rubbery or squishy?
are you able to move it?


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (58 minutes later)
Can't really take picture, the rest of my family are out for the evening and the only way to see it is with my arm straight up in the air and pulling skin downward. It is about 3" long and probably not more than a 16th" wide. It is not sore to touch or probe or push or anything. My left armpit has nothing like it. Also it runs down pretty much in the middle possibly a little right of center(my right)

I do have a picture if you could tell me how to send it. Do you have an e-mail? I'm not all that savvy when it comes to this I-phone and I can't find a link to send it
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
On the right side of the history page you can upload picture.

Detailed Answer:
On the page where you posted your history, on the right side there is something that says something to the effect of "upload images". I don't have access to that page so I can't tell you specifically. If that doesn't work, my email is YYYY@YYYY .

Either way though, reply using this site (not my email) because the way this works is I can't respond until I've heard from you.

Also, two more questions:

1. Is it movable, such as side to side, or does it feel like it is fixed underneath?

2. Can you get your fingers underneath it?
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (4 hours later)
Hope you got picture. Yes it is slightly moveable from side to side but not much. I can get my fingers underneath a little but again not much
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (31 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Possible fatty tumor (usually benign) of tendon sheath.

Detailed Answer:
The picture you sent is good, but the bulge is not anything I have seen in practice.

It appears to have benign features - fairly symmetric, does not appear hard or fixed.

To me it looks like adipose (fat) inside a tendon sheath, possibly of the the tendon of the coracobrachialis muscle (see picture of arm pit anatomy here): http://medicalency.com/axilla.htm

Although it looks benign, I'd suggest going to a general surgeon just to have it looked at and felt. If you prefer a dermatologist or orthopedic surgeon that you know you can try them too, but my first pick would be a general surgeon. I am not expecting that the surgeon will perform surgery, but would probably have the best knowledge of the significance of this bulge.

So please don't lose any sleep over it, but do have it looked at in person.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 3134 Questions

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What Causes A Prominent Tendon Across The Right Armpit?

Brief Answer: Can you upload a picture? Detailed Answer: Hello and welcome, If you can upload a few good quality pictures, that would help for me to know what it is. Also, please feel it and try to describe it compared to other structures: does it feel like a tendon (feel other tendons for comparison) does it have the color of a vein? is it rubbery or squishy? are you able to move it?