
The biceps is one of three muscles in the anterior compartment of the upper arm, along with the brachialis and coracobrachialis muscles. The biceps muscle has two heads, the short head and the long head, which originate at the coracoid process and supraglenoid tubercle of the scapula, respectively. In some cases, a third head may arise from the humerus.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of muscles in the anterior compartment of the upper arm | Three |
| Names of muscles in the anterior compartment of the upper arm | Biceps brachii, brachialis, coracobrachialis |
| Number of muscles in the posterior compartment of the upper arm | One |
| Name of muscle in the posterior compartment of the upper arm | Triceps brachii |
| Number of heads of the biceps muscle | Two |
| Names of the heads of the biceps muscle | Short head, long head |
| Percentage of adults with some variation in the origin of the muscle | 30% |
| Percentage of people with supernumerary heads numbering 3-7 in total | 2-5% |
| Percentage of people with a third head arising from the humerus | 10% |
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What You'll Learn
- The biceps is one of three muscles in the anterior compartment of the upper arm
- The biceps muscle has two heads
- The biceps shares a nerve supply with the brachialis and coracobrachialis muscles
- The biceps brachii is one of the most variable muscles in the human body
- The biceps is a large muscle that lies on the front of the upper arm

The biceps is one of three muscles in the anterior compartment of the upper arm
The biceps is a large muscle that lies on the front of the upper arm between the shoulder and the elbow. While the long head of the biceps crosses both the shoulder and elbow joints, its main function is at the elbow where it flexes and supinates the forearm. Both these movements are used when opening a bottle with a corkscrew: first, the biceps screw in the cork (supination), then it pulls the cork out (flexion).
The biceps is traditionally described as a two-headed muscle, but it can also have a third head arising from the humerus in approximately 10% of cases. In many patients, a third head may arise from the humerus, but in about 2% to 5% of people, there may be supernumerary heads numbering anywhere from 3 to 7 in total.
The three muscles located in the anterior compartment of the upper arm are all innervated by the musculocutaneous nerve. A good memory aid for this is BBC – biceps, brachialis, coracobrachialis.
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The biceps muscle has two heads
The biceps is one of three muscles in the anterior compartment of the upper arm, along with the brachialis muscle and the coracobrachialis muscle. The biceps shares a nerve supply with these two muscles. The upper arm is located between the shoulder joint and elbow joint.
The biceps is traditionally described as a two-headed muscle, but it is one of the most variable muscles of the human body. In many patients, a third head may arise from the humerus, but in about 2% to 5% of people, there may be supernumerary heads numbering anywhere from 3 to 7 in total.
The biceps brachii is a large muscle that lies on the front of the upper arm between the shoulder and the elbow. While the long head of the biceps crosses both the shoulder and elbow joints, its main function is at the elbow where it flexes and supinates the forearm. Both these movements are used when opening a bottle with a corkscrew: first, the biceps screw in the cork (supination), then it pulls the cork out (flexion).
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The biceps shares a nerve supply with the brachialis and coracobrachialis muscles
The biceps is one of three muscles in the anterior compartment of the upper arm, along with the brachialis muscle and the coracobrachialis muscle. The biceps shares a nerve supply with the brachialis and coracobrachialis muscles. The biceps muscle has two heads, the short head and the long head, distinguished according to their origin at the coracoid process and supraglenoid tubercle of the scapula, respectively. Both heads of the muscle arise on the scapula and join to form a single muscle belly which is attached to the upper forearm. The long head of the biceps crosses both the shoulder and elbow joints, but its main function is at the elbow where it flexes and supinates the forearm. Both these movements are used when opening a bottle with a corkscrew: first, the biceps screw in the cork (supination), then it pulls the cork out (flexion).
The biceps is traditionally described as a two-headed muscle, but it is one of the most variable muscles of the human body and in many patients, a third head may arise from the humerus. In about 2% to 5% of people, there may be supernumerary heads numbering anywhere from 3 to 7 in total. The biceps, brachialis and coracobrachialis muscles are all innervated by the musculocutaneous nerve.
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The biceps brachii is one of the most variable muscles in the human body
The biceps brachii is one of three muscles in the anterior compartment of the upper arm, along with the brachialis muscle and the coracobrachialis muscle, with which it shares a nerve supply. The musculocutaneous nerve innervates all three muscles. The biceps brachii is also known as a "two-headed muscle", and in many patients, a third head may arise from the humerus. In about 2% to 5% of people, there may be supernumerary heads numbering anywhere from 3 to 7 in total.
The main function of the biceps brachii is at the elbow, where it flexes and supinates the forearm. Both these movements are used when opening a bottle with a corkscrew: first, the biceps screw in the cork (supination), then it pulls the cork out (flexion). The biceps brachii is a very important muscle for athletes, especially those involved in throwing or swinging sports such as baseball, tennis, and golf.
The biceps brachii is a very versatile muscle and can be trained in a variety of ways. Some common exercises that target the biceps brachii include curls, rows, and pull-ups. It is important to vary the training stimulus to promote muscle growth and avoid adaptation.
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The biceps is a large muscle that lies on the front of the upper arm
The biceps is a two-headed muscle, with both heads arising on the scapula and joining to form a single muscle belly, which is attached to the upper forearm. The long head of the biceps crosses both the shoulder and elbow joints, but its main function is at the elbow, where it flexes and supinates the forearm. These movements are used when opening a bottle with a corkscrew: first, the biceps screw in the cork (supination), and then it pulls the cork out (flexion).
The biceps is a highly variable muscle, and in some cases, it may have a third head arising from the humerus. This variation is present in approximately 10% of individuals and can result in supernumerary heads numbering anywhere from three to seven in total. The biceps are innervated by the musculocutaneous nerve, along with the other two muscles of the anterior compartment of the upper arm.
The biceps play a crucial role in the movement and function of the upper arm, particularly in flexion and supination of the forearm. Its location between the shoulder and elbow joints allows it to contribute to a wide range of motions and activities involving the arm. Understanding the anatomy and function of the biceps is essential for various fields, including sports, medicine, and physical therapy.
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Frequently asked questions
There are two bicep muscles, the short head and the long head.
The bicep muscles are called the biceps brachii.
The bicep muscles' main function is at the elbow where it flexes and supinates the forearm.











































