Dominic Stone
The brachialis muscle is a muscle located in the upper limb of the body, specifically in the upper arm or anterior compartment of the arm. It is the major flexor of the elbow, allowing for forearm movement and producing the majority of force during elbow flexion. The brachialis is also known as the 'workhorse of the elbow'. It is located beneath the biceps brachii and is supplied by the musculocutaneous nerve, with additional innervation from the radial nerve in 70-80% of people. The brachialis muscle can be injured by repetitive forceful contractions, and physical activities such as pull-ups, curls, and rope climbing can initiate brachialis muscle pain.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Anterior (flexor) compartment of the arm, deep to the biceps brachii |
| Shape | Fusiform |
| Function | Elbow flexion, prime flexor of the forearm at the elbow joint |
| Blood supply | Brachial artery, radial recurrent artery, and occasionally ulnar collateral arteries |
| Innervation | Musculocutaneous nerve, and in 70-80% of people, additional innervation from the radial nerve |
| Attachments | Originates from the anterior surface of the distal half of the humerus, inserts onto the tuberosity of the ulna, and may have an accessory attachment to the radius |
| Related muscles | Biceps brachii, brachioradialis, coracobrachialis, pronator teres, triceps brachii |
| Common injuries | Repetitive forceful contractions, muscular contractions with the arm in hyperextension, seen in climbers and activities like pull-ups and rope climbing |
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What You'll Learn
The brachialis muscle is a major flexor of the elbow
The brachialis is located in the anterior (flexor) compartment of the arm, deep to the biceps brachii. It is a broad muscle, with its broadest part located in the middle. It is sometimes divided into two parts and may fuse with the fibres of the biceps brachii, coracobrachialis, or pronator teres muscles. The muscle fibres of the brachialis converge to form a thick tendon, which connects the muscle to the humerus at one end and the ulna at the other.
The brachialis is 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 initiate brachialis muscle pain. A strain to the brachialis tendon can cause elbow extension weakness and a lack of elbow extension due to painful end-range stretching of the tendon.
The brachialis has dual innervation, medially innervated by the musculocutaneous nerve and laterally 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. The brachialis is supplied by muscular branches of the brachial artery and the recurrent radial artery, with occasional contributions from accessory arteries.
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It is commonly injured by repetitive forceful contractions
The brachialis muscle is a powerful elbow flexor that lies beneath the biceps brachii muscle in the upper arm. It is responsible for flexing the forearm at the elbow joint and plays a crucial role in stabilizing the elbow during heavy lifting and forceful contractions. Due to its function and location, the brachialis muscle is particularly susceptible to injury, especially with repetitive and forceful contractions.
Injuries to the brachialis muscle can occur when it is overloaded, often as a result of repetitive motions or excessive force. For example, athletes who participate in throwing sports, such as baseball or javelin, may experience brachialis strain due to the repetitive and forceful nature of their overhead throwing motions. Similarly, weight lifters who perform excessive curls or heavy lifting without proper form can also strain or tear their brachialis muscle.
The brachialis muscle is at risk of injury when it undergoes rapid and forceful contractions, especially when the muscle is not properly warmed up or conditioned for such activity. This can lead to micro-tears in the muscle fibers, causing pain, swelling, and reduced range of motion. Over time, if the muscle is not allowed to recover and the repetitive contractions continue, more severe tears or even complete ruptures of the muscle can occur.
Additionally, the brachialis muscle can be injured due to improper technique or overuse in activities that require sustained contractions, such as rock climbing or pulling motions. When the muscle is contracted for extended periods, it can lead to fatigue and decreased blood flow, making it more vulnerable to injury. This can result in inflammation and pain, a condition commonly known as brachialis tendinopathy or tendinitis.
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The brachialis is located in the upper limb of the body
The brachialis is a muscle located in the upper limb of the body, specifically in the upper arm. It is a major flexor of the forearm at the elbow joint, allowing the forearm to move closer to the body. It is sometimes referred to as the "workhorse of the elbow".
The brachialis is located in the anterior (flexor) compartment of the arm, deep to the biceps brachii. It is a broad muscle, with its broadest part located in the middle rather than at the ends. The muscle fibres of the brachialis converge to form the brachialis tendon, which connects the muscle to the humerus and the ulna, a bone in the forearm. The tendon inserts onto the tuberosity of the ulna and onto a rough depression on the anterior surface of the coronoid process of the ulna.
The brachialis is innervated by the musculocutaneous nerve, which runs on its superficial surface. In 70-80% of people, the muscle also receives additional innervation from the radial nerve. The brachialis 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 is the prime mover of elbow flexion, generating about 50% more power than the biceps. It is the only pure flexor of the elbow joint and produces the majority of force during elbow flexion. Unlike the biceps, the brachialis does not insert on the radius and does not participate in pronation and supination of the forearm.
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It 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, producing the majority of force during elbow flexion. It is also involved in forearm flexion, allowing the forearm to move closer to the body. The brachialis is located on the anterior surface of the shaft of the humerus, deep to the muscle belly of the biceps brachii, and distally to its tendon. The biceps brachii muscle is located immediately anterior to the brachialis.
The brachialis muscle is innervated by the musculocutaneous nerve, which runs on its superficial surface, between it and the biceps brachii. The musculocutaneous nerve provides the majority of the motor supply to the brachialis. However, in 70-80% of people, the muscle has double innervation, with additional innervation from the radial nerve. The radial nerve descends in the groove between the brachialis and brachioradialis muscles, above the elbow. The divide between the two innervations is at the insertion of the deltoid.
The brachialis is supplied by muscular branches of the brachial artery and by the recurrent radial artery. The brachial artery and its branches supply blood to the brachialis, with occasional contributions from the ulnar collateral arteries. The brachialis tendon originates at the mid-shaft of the humerus and inserts at the coronoid process of the ulna. Its fibres converge to form a thick tendon, which is inserted into the tuberosity of the ulna.
The brachialis is a broad muscle, with its broadest part located in the middle rather than at either of its ends. It sometimes has an accessory attachment to the radius or the bicipital aponeurosis. The muscle is occasionally doubled, with additional slips to other muscles such as the supinator, pronator teres, or biceps brachii. The brachialis can be injured by repetitive forceful contractions or muscular contractions with the arm in hyperextension, which is common in climbers due to the pronation of the hand and extended starting position.
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The muscle is occasionally doubled
The brachialis is a muscle in the upper arm that flexes the elbow. It is the only pure flexor of the elbow joint, producing the majority of force during elbow flexion. It is also involved in forearm flexion, allowing the forearm to move closer to the body. The brachialis is the prime mover of elbow flexion, generating about 50% more power than the biceps.
The brachialis is located on the anterior surface of the shaft of the humerus, deep to the muscle belly of the biceps brachii and distally to its tendon. The biceps brachii muscle is located immediately anterior to the brachialis, as are the brachial vessels, the musculocutaneous, and median nerves. The humerus and the capsule of the elbow joint lie posterior to the muscle. Medially, the medial intermuscular septum and pronator teres separate the brachialis from the triceps brachii and the ulnar nerve.
The brachialis tendon originates at the mid-shaft of the humerus and inserts at the coronoid process, a rounded protuberance, or tuberosity, of the ulna. The tendon passes between two slips of the flexor digitorum profundus muscle. It sometimes has an accessory attachment to the radius or the bicipital aponeurosis. The brachialis is innervated by the musculocutaneous nerve, which runs on its superficial surface, and it commonly also receives additional innervation from the radial nerve.
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Frequently asked questions
The brachialis muscle 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 muscle.
The brachialis is the prime mover of elbow flexion, generating about 50% more power than the biceps. It is also involved in the flexion of the forearm.
The brachialis muscle can be 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 cause brachialis muscle pain.
