Biceps Brachii – Attachments, Action & Innervation

Author: Scott A. Sheffield MS

Last update:

Biceps brachii is one of the main arm muscles which acts on both the shoulder joint and the elbow joint. It derives its name from the fact that it consists of two parts (heads).

image descriptionBiceps Brachii (Musculus biceps brachii):

An anterior view of the arm muscles with labels for Deltoid, Pectoralis major, Biceps brachii and Triceps brachii muscles
An anterior view of the arm muscles with labels for Deltoid, Pectoralis major, Biceps brachii and Triceps brachii muscles
An image showing the biceps brachii muscle alone.
1
2
3

Struggling to memorize all the details? Learn the muscles of the arm with quizzes, diagrams and worksheets.

image descriptionAttachments of Biceps Brachii: Origin & Insertion

Origin: (proximal attachments)
a. Long head: supraglenoid tubercle of the scapula.
b. Short head: coracoid process of the scapula.

Insertion: (distal attachments)
a. Radial tuberosity.
b. Bicipital aponeurosis to the fascia on the medial side of the forearm.

An anterior view of the arm muscles with labels for Deltoid, Pectoralis major, Biceps brachii and Triceps brachii muscles
An image showing the biceps brachii muscle alone.
1
2
3

Actions of Biceps Brachii:

Both heads:

image descriptiona. Flex the arm (weakly) at the shoulder.
* (Both heads also flex & supinate the forearm at the elbow).

image descriptionb. Flexes forearm at elbow.

image descriptionc. Supinates forearm at elbow.

Innervation of Biceps Brachii:

image descriptionNerves to the muscle:
a. Musculocutaneous nerve.
image descriptionNerve roots:
b. C5, C6, and C7.
the Muculocutaneous nerve innervating the biceps muscle
Musculocutaneous nerve within the brachial plexus
1
2

An overview of the anterior muscles of the arm:

Muscles That Act On The Anterior Forearm

An anterior view of the arm muscles with labels for Deltoid, Pectoralis major, Biceps brachii, Triceps brachii, latissimus dorsi, brachioradialis and pronator teres muscles
An anterior view of the arm muscles with labels for Deltoid, Pectoralis major, Biceps brachii, Triceps brachii, latissimus dorsi, brachioradialis and pronator teres muscles
An anterior view of the arm muscles with labels for Deltoid, Pectoralis major, Biceps brachii, Triceps brachii, latissimus dorsi, brachioradialis and pronator teres muscles
An anterior view of the arm muscles with labels for Deltoid, Pectoralis major, Biceps brachii, Triceps brachii, latissimus dorsi and brachialis muscles
An anterior view of the arm muscles with labels for Deltoid, Pectoralis major, Biceps brachii, Triceps brachii, latissimus dorsi and brachialis muscles
An anterior view of the arm muscles with labels for Deltoid, Pectoralis major, Biceps brachii, Triceps brachii and brachizalis muscles
An anterior view of the arm muscles with labels for Coracobrachialis, Subscapularis, Biceps brachii, Triceps brachii, Teres minor and brachialis muscles
An anterior view of the arm muscles with labels for Coracobrachialis, Subscapularis, Biceps brachii and Teres minor muscles
Insertion and origin of the biceps brachii muscle
Test yourself while observing the Biceps Brachii muscle
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Related Articles
Featured image showing two views of the posterior upper arm and shoulder. The image on the left shows the bony elements and the muscles of the posterior upper arm and shoulder, the image on the left shows isolated Triceps Brachii Long head.
Triceps brachii muscle

The long head of the Triceps brachii is one of three heads that make up the muscle. It descends between teres minor and major, dividing the wedge-shaped interval between them and the humerus into triangular and quadrangular spaces.

Anterior view of the thorax and upper limb showing the origin and insertion of the coracobrachialis muscle
Coracobrachialis Muscle – Attachments, Action & Innervation

Coracobrachialis is one of the three muscles that comprise the anterior compartment of the arm. Its action is mainly antagonist to the action of the Deltoid.
Brachialis Muscle - Featured
Brachialis Muscle

Brachialis Muscle (Insertion, Origin, Actions & Innervations); explained beautifully in an illustrated and interactive way.