
The brachialis is a muscle located in the upper limb of the body, specifically in the upper arm or the forearm. It is a major flexor of the elbow and is responsible for elbow flexion, allowing the forearm to move closer to the body. The brachialis is also known as the workhorse of the elbow, generating about 50% more power than the biceps. It is a broad, fusiform muscle, located beneath the biceps brachii. The brachialis is innervated by the musculocutaneous nerve and, in many cases, also by the radial nerve.
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What You'll Learn

The brachialis is a muscle in the upper arm
The brachialis is located in the lower anterior compartment of the upper arm, situated beneath the biceps brachii muscle and at the inferior portion of the humerus bone, which runs from shoulder to elbow. It is a broad muscle, with its broadest part located in the middle rather than at either of its extremities. It is sometimes divided into two parts and may fuse with the fibres of the biceps brachii, coracobrachialis, or pronator teres muscles.
The brachialis muscle is innervated medially by the musculocutaneous nerve (C5-C6) and laterally by the radial nerve (C7). In 70-80% of people, the muscle has double innervation with the radial nerve (C5-T1). The brachialis is supplied by muscular branches of the brachial artery and by the recurrent radial artery. The muscle fibres of the brachialis muscle join to form the brachialis tendon, which connects the brachialis muscle to the humerus at one end and the ulna, a bone in the forearm, at the other.
The brachialis muscle can be commonly injured by repetitive forceful contractions or muscular contractions with the arm in hyperextension. Physical activity that involves a lot of pull-ups, curls, and rope climbing can also initiate brachialis muscle pain. A strain to the brachialis tendon can cause a patient to present with a lacking elbow extension due to painful end-range stretching of the tendon.
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It is a major flexor of the elbow
The brachialis is a muscle in the upper arm that acts as a prime flexor of the forearm at the elbow joint. It is a broad muscle, with its broadest part located in the middle rather than at either of its extremities. It is also known as the "workhorse of the elbow".
The brachialis is the only pure flexor of the elbow joint, producing the majority of force during elbow flexion. It is not affected by pronation or supination of the forearm and does not participate in pronation and supination due to its lack of attachment to the radius. The brachialis is the prime mover of elbow flexion, generating about 50% more power than the biceps.
The brachialis muscle is located in the anterior (flexor) compartment of the arm, deep to the biceps brachii. It is sometimes divided into two parts and may fuse with the fibres of the biceps brachii, coracobrachialis, or pronator teres muscles. The brachialis also functions to form part of the floor of the cubital fossa, also known as the elbow pit.
The brachialis is commonly injured by repetitive forceful contractions or muscular contractions with the arm in hyperextension. Physical activity that involves a lot of pull-ups, curls, and rope climbing can also cause brachialis muscle pain. A strain to the brachialis tendon can cause a patient to present with a lacking elbow extension due to painful end-range stretching of the tendon.
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The brachialis is the only pure flexor of the elbow joint
The brachialis is a muscle in the upper arm that is responsible for flexing the elbow. It is also known as the "workhorse of the elbow". The muscle is located in the anterior (flexor) compartment of the arm, deep to the biceps brachii. The biceps brachii muscle is located immediately anterior to the brachialis. The brachialis is a broad muscle, with its broadest part located in the middle rather than at the ends.
The brachialis is also responsible for holding the elbow in the flexed position. Thus, when the elbow joint is flexed, the brachialis is always contracting. The brachialis is commonly injured by repetitive forceful contractions or muscular contractions with the arm in hyperextension. This is commonly seen in climbers due to the pronation of the hand and the extended starting position. Physical activity that involves a lot of pull-ups, curls, and rope climbing can also cause brachialis muscle pain.
The brachialis is innervated by the musculocutaneous nerve, which runs on its superficial surface, between it and the biceps brachii. However, in 70-80% of people, the muscle has double innervation with the radial nerve. The brachialis is supplied by muscular branches of the brachial artery and by the recurrent radial artery. The muscle is occasionally doubled; additional muscle slips to the supinator, pronator teres, biceps brachii, lacertus fibrosus, or radius are more rarely found.
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The muscle is commonly injured by repetitive forceful contractions
The brachialis is a muscle located in the upper arm, near the crook of the elbow. It is the prime flexor of the forearm at the elbow joint, allowing for elbow flexion and enabling the elbow to bend or flex. The brachialis is also known as the 'workhorse of the elbow'.
The brachialis muscle is commonly injured by repetitive forceful contractions or muscular contractions with the arm in hyperextension. This type of injury is frequently observed in climbers due to the pronation of the hand and the extended starting position. Physical activities that involve a lot of pull-ups, curls, and rope climbing can also lead to brachialis muscle pain. A brachialis strain or tear can occur when the muscle is overstretched or overworked in the upper extremity. This can result in mild to acute inflammation and, in severe cases, a muscle tear.
Athletes who engage in throwing sports and racquet sports are also susceptible to brachialis injuries due to overuse and repetitive strain. The brachialis muscle may be particularly vulnerable to injury when the elbow is in a pronated position, as this can place additional strain on the muscle. As a result, individuals may experience pain in the upper arm, forearm, or fingers, with symptoms such as swelling, numbness, or weakness.
In terms of treatment, elevating the injured area can help minimise swelling, especially when combined with compression. Ultrasound therapy, massage, and electrical stimulation techniques like TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Neuromuscular Stimulation) can also be effective in reducing pain and improving blood flow to the affected area.
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The brachialis is innervated by the musculocutaneous nerve
The brachialis is a muscle in the upper arm that flexes the elbow. It is the only pure flexor of the elbow joint, and it is not affected by pronation or supination of the forearm. The brachialis acts as the floor of the cubital fossa, and is part of the radial tunnel. It is a broad muscle, with its broadest part located in the middle rather than at the extremities.
The musculocutaneous nerve innervates the three muscles of the anterior compartment of the arm: the coracobrachialis, biceps brachii, and brachialis. It is also responsible for the cutaneous innervation of the lateral forearm. The nerve then pierces the deep fascia lateral to the biceps brachii to emerge lateral to the biceps tendon and brachioradialis. It continues into the forearm as the lateral cutaneous nerve and provides sensory innervation to the lateral aspect of the forearm.
In addition to the musculocutaneous nerve, the brachialis also receives innervation from the radial nerve. It often has dual innervation, with medial innervation by the musculocutaneous nerve and lateral innervation by the radial nerve. The majority of the motor supply is provided by the musculocutaneous nerve. The radial nerve descends in the groove between the brachialis and brachioradialis muscles, above the elbow.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the brachialis is a muscle in the upper arm that flexes the elbow.
The brachialis is located in the lower anterior compartment of the upper arm, beneath the biceps brachii.
The main function of the brachialis muscle is elbow flexion. It is the prime mover of elbow flexion, generating about 50% more power than the biceps.
The brachialis muscle is supplied with blood primarily by the brachial artery and the radial recurrent artery. Occasionally, the ulnar collateral arteries may also provide blood to this muscle.
The brachialis muscle can be commonly injured by repetitive forceful contractions or muscular contractions with the arm in hyperextension. Physical activities that involve a lot of pull-ups, curls, and rope climbing can also initiate brachialis muscle pain.











































