Name

# Biceps Brachii

Pronunciation

(BI-seps BRA-ke-I)

Origin/Proximal Attachment

Long Head: supraglenoid tubercle & glenohumeral labrum Short Head: tip of the coracoid process of the scapula

Insertion/Distal Attachment

Radial tuberosity, bicipital aponeurosis

Action/Relevance

Flexes the forearm at the elbowSupinates forearmFlexes shoulder4. Stabilises anterior aspect of shoulder

Innervation

Musculocutaneous nerve (C5, 6)

Notes

The biceps brachii is a muscle on the upper arm that acts to flex the elbow. It is arguably the best known muscle, as it lies fairly superficially, and is often well-defined even in non-athletes.

It is given the name biceps because it has two heads, and brachii comes from the Latin word for arm.

Distally, biceps attaches to the radial tuberosity, and because this bone can rotate, the biceps also supinates the forearm. The biceps also connects with the fascia of the medial side of the arm, at the bicipital aponeurosis.

Proximally, the short head of biceps attaches to the coracoid process of the scapula. The tendon of the long head passes into the joint capsule at the head of the humerus, and attaches on the scapula at the supraglenoid tubercle.