Last update:

Brachioradialis Muscle – Attachments, Action & Innervation

image descriptionBrachioradialis Muscle

Brachioradialis is one of the muscles that comprise the posterior compartment of the forearm. It is the most superficial muscle of the radial side of the forearm, forming the lateral wall of the cubital fossa.

An anterior view of the forearm showing the bony elements and the associated muscles muscles. The visible, labelled muscles are as follows: Biceps Brachii, Brachialis, Pronator Teres, Brachioradialis (highlighted in green), Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus, Palmaris Longus, Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis, Flexor Carpi Radialis, Flexor Carpi Ulnaris, Flexor Digitorum Superficialis and a transverse carpal ligament at the wrist - Flexor Retinaculum - going over the tendons of most forearm muscles.
An anterior view of the forearm showing the bony elements and the deeper muscles. The visible, labelled muscles are as follows: Pronator Teres, Brachioradialis, Palmaris Longus, Flexor Carpi Radialis, Flexor Carpi Ulnaris, Flexor Digitorum Superficialis and a transverse carpal ligament at the wrist - Flexor Retinaculum - going over the tendons of most forearm muscles.
An anterior view of the forearm showing the bony elements and the deeper muscles. The visible, labelled muscles are as follows: Pronator Teres, Brachioradialis, Flexor Digitorum Superficialis and a transverse carpal ligament at the wrist - Flexor Retinaculum - going over the tendons of Flexor Digitorum Superficialis muscle.
An anterior view of the forearm showing the bony elements and isolated Brachioradialis muscle.
1
2
3
4

image descriptionAttachments of Brachioradialis Muscle: Origin and Insertion

Origin (proximal attachment):
a. Lateral supracondylar ridge of humerus.

Insertion (distal attachment):
a. Styloid process of radius.

 

An anterior view of the forearm showing the bony elements and the associated muscles muscles. The visible, labelled muscles are as follows: Biceps Brachii, Brachialis, Pronator Teres, Brachioradialis (highlighted in green), Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus, Palmaris Longus, Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis, Flexor Carpi Radialis, Flexor Carpi Ulnaris, Flexor Digitorum Superficialis and a transverse carpal ligament at the wrist - Flexor Retinaculum - going over the tendons of most forearm muscles.
An anterior view of the forearm showing the bony elements and isolated Brachioradialis muscle.
An anterior view of the forearm showing the bony elements and the attachment of Brachioradialis at the lateral supracondylar ridge of humerus is marked by a red line and the insertion at the styloid process of the radius is marked by a blue oval. Transparent Brachioradialis muscle connects the two attachment sites.
1
2
3

Actions of Brachioradialis on the forearm (radius/ulna):

a.  image descriptionFlexes forearm at elbow.

Nerve to Brachioradialis muscle and its spinal segment:

a. Radial nerve (C5, C6).

An Overview of the Forearm Muscles

A test yourself image of the anterior view of the forearm showing the bony elements and the associated soft structures. The visible structures of the forearm are labelled 1-11 and the answers in the box below are concealed.
A test yourself image of the anterior view of the forearm showing the bony elements and the deeper muscles. The visible structures of the forearm are numbered 1-11. The answers in the box below are as follows 1. Biceps Brachii 2. Brachialis 3. Pronator Teres 4. Brachioradialis 5. Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus 6. Palmaris Longus 7. Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis 8. Flexor Carpi Radialis 9. Flexor Carpi Ulnaris 10. Flexor Digitorum Superficialis 11. Flexor Retinaculum.
A test yourself image of the anterior view of the forearm showing the bony elements and the deeper muscles. The visible structures of the forearm are numbered 1-10. The answers in the box below are as follows 1. Brachialis 2. Pronator Teres 3. Brachioradialis 4. Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus 5. Palmaris Longus 6. Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis 7. Flexor Carpi Radialis 8. Flexor Carpi Ulnaris 9. Flexor Digitorum Superficialis 10. Flexor Retinaculum.
A test yourself image of the anterior view of the forearm showing the bony elements and the deeper muscles. The visible structures of the forearm are numbered 1-9. The answers in the box below are as follows 1. Pronator Teres 2. Brachioradialis 3. Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus 4. Palmaris Longus 5. Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis 6. Flexor Carpi Radialis 7. Flexor Carpi Ulnaris 8. Flexor Digitorum Superficialis 9. Flexor Retinaculum.
A test yourself image of the anterior view of the forearm showing the bony elements and the deeper muscles. The visible structures of the forearm are numbered 1-8. The answers in the box below are as follows: 1. Pronator Teres 2. Brachioradialis 3. Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus 4. Palmaris Longus 5. Flexor Carpi Radialis 6. Flexor Carpi Ulnaris 7. Flexor Digitorum Superficialis 8. Flexor Retinaculum.
A test yourself image of the anterior view of the forearm showing the bony elements and the deeper muscles. The visible structures of the forearm are numbered 1-7. The answers in the box below are as follows 1. Pronator Teres 2. Brachioradialis 3. Palmaris Longus 4. Flexor Carpi Radialis 5. Flexor Carpi Ulnaris 6. Flexor Digitorum Superficialis 7. Flexor Retinaculum.
A test yourself image of the anterior view of the forearm showing the bony elements and the deeper muscles. The visible structures of the forearm are numbered 1-6. The answers in the box below are as follows 1. Pronator Teres 2. Brachioradialis 3. Palmaris Longus 4. Flexor Carpi Ulnaris 5. Flexor Digitorum Superficialis 6. Flexor Retinaculum.
A test yourself image of the anterior view of the forearm showing the bony elements and the deeper muscles. The visible structures of the forearm are numbered 1-5. The answers in the box below are as follows 1. Pronator Teres 2. Brachioradialis 3. Flexor Carpi Ulnaris 4. Flexor Digitorum Superficialis 5. Flexor Retinaculum.
A test yourself image of the anterior view of the forearm showing the bony elements and the deeper muscles. The visible structures of the forearm are numbered 1-4. The answers in the box below are as follows 1. Pronator Teres 2. Brachioradialis 3. Flexor Digitorum Superficialis 4. Flexor Retinaculum.
A test yourself image of the anterior view of the forearm showing the bony elements and the deeper muscles. The visible structures of the forearm are numbered 1-3. The answers in the box below are as follows 1. Pronator Teres 2. Brachioradialis 3. Flexor Digitorum Superficialis.
A test yourself image of the anterior view of the forearm showing the bony elements and the deeper muscles. The visible structures of the forearm are numbered 1-2. The answers in the box below are as follows 1. Brachioradialis 2. Flexor Digitorum Superficialis.
A test yourself image of the anterior view of the forearm showing the bony elements and the isolated Brachioradialis muscle numbered 1.
A test yourself image of the anterior view of the forearm showing the bony elements and the attachment of Brachioradialis. Origin at the lateral supracondylar ridge of humerus is marked by a red line and the insertion at the styloid process of the radius is marked by a blue oval. Transparent Brachioradialis muscle connects the two attachment sites.
Test yourself while observing the Brachioradialis muscle
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Related Articles
Featured image 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 right shows isolated Triceps Brachii Medial head.
Triceps Brachii Muscle: Medial Head

The medial head of the Triceps brachii arises from inferior two-thirds of the humerus to insert, along with the other two heads of the triceps, on the olecranon of the ulna.
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: Long Head

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.
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 Lateral head.
Triceps Brachii Muscle: Lateral Head

The lateral head of the Triceps brachii, one of three heads of the muscle, originates from the humerus, superior to the radial groove to insert on the olecranon process.