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The biceps, or biceps brachii, is a large muscle that lies on the front of the upper arm between the shoulder and the elbow. It is one of three muscles in the anterior compartment of the upper arm, alongside the brachialis and coracobrachialis muscles. The biceps is a two-joint muscle, consisting of two heads: the short head and the long head. The short head originates from a projection on the scapula called the coracoid, while the long head originates from a cavity in the scapula called the glenoid. The two heads join in the middle of the upper arm to form a single muscle belly, which is attached to the upper forearm. The main functions of the biceps are the flexion and supination (outward rotation) of the forearm, which is facilitated by the 90-degree rotation of the muscle as it connects to the radius.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Muscle name | Biceps or Biceps Brachii |
| Muscle structure | Two heads (short and long) |
| Muscle function | Flexion and supination (outward rotation) of the forearm |
| Blood supply | Brachial artery |
| Nerve supply | Musculocutaneous nerve (C5, C6, C7) |
| Tendons | Distal biceps tendons |
| Injuries | Tears, avulsion injuries, tendinitis, tendinopathy, strains |
| Treatment | Cold pressure, anti-inflammatory medications, surgery, physical therapy, weight training, resistance training |
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What You'll Learn
Biceps Brachii Muscle Anatomy
The biceps brachii, or simply "biceps", is a large, thick, fusiform muscle on the upper arm's front or ventral portion. It 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, distinguished according to their origin at the coracoid process and supraglenoid tubercle of the scapula, respectively. The short head is sometimes referred to as "caput breve", while the long head is also called "caput longum".
The long head of the biceps originates at the supraglenoid tubercle above the glenoid cavity of the scapula. It lies within the intracapsular space but remains extrasynovial. The long biceps tendon makes a sharp turn at the humeral head and continues its course in the bicipital groove (intertubercular sulcus). This turning point is secured by ligaments at the capsular area (biceps pulley). The short head arises at the apex of the coracoid process of the scapula, where it partly blends with the origin tendon of the coracobrachialis. The two heads join in the middle upper arm to form a single muscle belly, usually near the insertion of the deltoid. As the muscle extends distally, the two heads rotate 90 degrees externally before inserting onto the radial tuberosity. The short head inserts distally on the tuberosity, while the long head inserts proximally closer to the apex of the tuberosity.
The biceps brachii is a two-joint muscle. In the shoulder joint, both muscle heads partially enforce opposite movements. The biceps are involved in tasks such as lifting, sports involving throwing and racket use, and gesturing. The main functions of the biceps are the flexion and supination (outward rotation) of the forearm. This is facilitated, in part, by the 90-degree rotation of the muscle as it connects to the radius. The biceps is not the most powerful flexor of the forearm. Instead, it serves to support and stabilize the deeper (and stronger) brachialis muscle whenever the forearm is being lifted or lowered.
The biceps brachii is supplied by the musculocutaneous nerve (C5-C7), a branch of the brachial plexus. The blood supply to the biceps brachii muscle varies considerably, coming from up to eight vessels originating from the brachial artery in the middle third of the arm. The biceps brachii is also an important landmark for locating the brachial artery during physical examination and ultrasound-guided arterial cannulation.
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Biceps Tendon Injuries
The biceps or biceps brachii is a large muscle that lies on the front of the upper arm between the shoulder and the elbow. The distal biceps tendons are completely separated in 40% of cases and bifurcated in 25% of cases. The biceps tendon is a well-recognised source of anterior shoulder pain.
Biceps tendonitis is a condition that occurs due to inflammation in the upper biceps tendon, often caused by overuse or repetitive motions. It can result in pain and tenderness in the upper arm and shoulder area. Treatment for biceps tendonitis typically involves rest, ice, and anti-inflammatory medications.
Biceps tendinopathy is another common condition affecting the muscle, often resulting from physical trauma or repetitive activity. It can cause pain and discomfort in the affected area. Treatment options for bicep tendon injuries depend on the severity of the injury and may include non-invasive methods, such as rest and physical therapy, or surgical intervention in more severe cases.
In most cases, biceps tendon injuries can heal over time without the need for surgery. However, severe injuries may require surgery and post-operative physical therapy to regain full strength and functionality in the muscle.
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Biceps Tendinopathy
The biceps or biceps brachii is a large muscle that lies on the front of the upper arm between the shoulder and the elbow. It is traditionally described as a two-headed muscle, with the short head and the long head, distinguished according to their origin at the coracoid process and supraglenoid tubercle of the scapula, respectively. The biceps are involved in tasks such as lifting, sports involving throwing and racket use, and gesturing. As a result, biceps tendinopathy is a common condition seen in the muscle.
The best way to diagnose biceps tendinopathy is by comparative palpation of the biceps tendon along the intertubercular groove or by doing an ultrasonography (extra-articular). Treatment consists of conservative or surgical treatment. Conservative management of biceps tendinitis consists of rest, ice, oral analgesics, physical therapy, or corticosteroid injections into the biceps tendon sheath. Surgery should be considered if conservative measures fail after three months or if there is severe damage to the biceps tendon.
Successful physical therapy regimens target the underlying source(s) contributing to the LHB tendon pathology. Potential factors predisposing to biceps-related shoulder injuries include glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (GIRD) in overhead-throwing athletes/baseball pitchers, poor trunk control, scapular dyskinesia, and internal impingement. Physical therapy initially focuses on unloading, followed by reloading the affected tendon. This may start with isometric training if pain is the primary issue, progressing into eccentric training, and eventually, concentric loading, similar to other forms of tendon rehab.
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Biceps Function
The biceps, or biceps brachii, is a large muscle that lies on the front of the upper arm between the shoulder and the elbow. The biceps is comprised of two heads, the short head and the long head, which are both anchored to the bone by tendons at each end. The short head originates from a projection on the scapula called the coracoid, while the long head originates from a cavity in the scapula called the glenoid. The two heads work in tandem to move the forearm, but remain anatomically distinct, with no conjoined fibres.
The main function of the biceps is the flexion and supination (outward rotation) of the forearm. This is facilitated by the 90-degree rotation of the muscle as it connects to the radius. The biceps is also involved in lifting and gesturing, and is used when opening a bottle with a corkscrew. The biceps is one of three muscles that flex the elbow, along with the brachialis and brachioradialis. It is also one of three muscles that flex the shoulder, along with the coracobrachialis and anterior deltoid. The biceps is further one of two muscles that supinate the forearm, along with the supinator muscle.
The biceps is susceptible to various conditions and injuries due to its involvement in vital tasks. Biceps tendinopathy, for example, is a common condition caused by physical trauma or repetitive activity. Racket sports and throwing sports, such as baseball and cricket, can lead to overuse and chronic wear and tear, resulting in the "popeye deformity". This condition arises from a ruptured long head tendon, causing the muscle to form a ball at the anterior mid-arm.
The biceps can be strengthened through weight and resistance training, such as chin-ups and bicep curls. In the event of an injury, most biceps conditions and tears will heal on their own without the need for surgery. Initial treatment typically involves applying cold pressure and using anti-inflammatory medications to reduce pain and swelling. More severe injuries may require surgery and post-operative physical therapy to restore strength and functionality to the muscle.
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Biceps Exercises
The biceps, or biceps brachii, is a large muscle that lies on the front of the upper arm between the shoulder and the elbow. It is called "two-headed muscle of the arm" in Latin, and it has two heads: the short head and the long head. The biceps are involved in tasks such as lifting, throwing, and racket use.
To build bigger biceps, it is important to work on both the long and short bicep heads. While it is not possible to isolate the heads and target one or the other, different exercises or grip widths can be used to emphasize one head over the other. For example, to target the long head bicep, you can perform concentration curls, which place full emphasis on the biceps. To perform this exercise, sit on the end of a flat bench with your legs in a V shape, and a dumbbell between your legs. Pick up the dumbbell with one hand, resting the elbow on the inside of your thigh, and the other hand on the other thigh for support. Keep your palm facing forward, and tighten your core and chest. Curl the dumbbell up to your chest, keeping the wrist in a neutral position, and squeeze your bicep at the top of the rep before lowering the dumbbell back to the starting position.
Other well-known bicep exercises include the chin-up and the bicep curl.
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Frequently asked questions
The biceps or biceps brachii is a large muscle that lies on the front of the upper arm between the shoulder and the elbow. It is one of three muscles in the anterior compartment of the upper arm.
The bicep muscle traditionally has two heads: a short head and a long head. However, in some rare cases, individuals have been found to have up to seven heads.
The main functions of the biceps are the flexion and supination (outward rotation) of the forearm. The biceps also work to support and stabilise the deeper and stronger brachialis muscle when lifting or lowering the forearm.
Common conditions affecting the biceps include biceps tendinopathy, caused by physical trauma or repetitive activity, and biceps strains, which occur when the muscle is overstretched or "pulled". Biceps tears can also occur during athletic activities or forceful, eccentric contraction of the bicep muscle while lifting.
Most bicep tears will heal over time without corrective surgery. Treatment for the first 48 to 72 hours involves applying cold pressure and using anti-inflammatory medications to ease pain and reduce swelling. More severe cases may require surgery and post-operative physical therapy.
