The Midaxillary Line

What Is It, Location, Function, and More

Author: Alyssa Haag
Editor: Ahaana Singh
Editor: Lisa Miklush, PhD, RN, CNS
Illustrator: Aileen Lin
Modified: Feb 04, 2025

What is the midaxillary line?

The midaxillary line is an imaginary landmark line that runs through an individual’s torso, separating the body into its anterior, or front, and posterior, or back, halves.
An infographic detailing the causes, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of The Midaxillary Line

Where is the midaxillary line located?

The midaxillary line originates in the axilla, or armpit, and passes vertically downwards. It is situated in between the anterior axillary line and posterior axillary line. The anterior and posterior axillary lines are also imaginary landmark lines that run through the front (anterior) and back (posterior) halves of the body, respectively.

Within the armpit, the axillary line is also situated between the anterior axillary fold, formed by the muscles of the chest (pectoralis), and the posterior axillary fold, formed by two major muscle of the upper back (the latissimus dorsi and teres major).

What is the function of the midaxillary line?

The midaxillary line functions as a reference point on the body for a number of procedures, including a thoracentesis and an electrocardiogram (ECG).

A thoracentesis is a procedure in which a needle is placed between the pleural space of lungs and the chest wall in order to diagnose certain conditions or remove excess fluid, known as pleural effusion. Oftentimes physicians use the midaxillary line as a reference point for where the needle should be inserted into the chest. Although the midaxillary line is often advised, the recommended location of needle insertion can vary.

An ECG is used to record the electrical signals of an individual’s heart through the placement of up to 12 sensors on the chest and extremities (arms and legs). The midaxillary line serves as a reference point for the placement of the V6 sensor, on the left side of the chest region.

What are the most important facts to know about the midaxillary line?

The midaxillary line is an imaginary line that physicians use as a reference point during a variety of procedures, such as a thoracentesis or an ECG. It passes from the armpit, downwards, dividing the body into its anterior and posterior halves

References


Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). (2020). In Mayo Clinic. Retrieved November 10, 2020, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/ekg/about/pac-20384983
Kalifatidis, A., Lazaridis, G., Baka, S., et al. (2015). Thoracocentesis: from Bench to Bed. Journal of Thoracic Disease, 7(Suppl 1): S1–S4. DOI: 10.3978/j.issn.2072-1439.2014.12.45
Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F., & Agur, A. M. R. (2018). Clinically Oriented Anatomy (8 edition). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer.