BICEPS BRACHII MUSCLE:
Today we’re discussing a popular arm muscle called BICEPS !
But did you know it’s full name is BICEPS BRACHII ?
The “bi” in biceps refers to the TWO heads (originating
attachment points) of the muscle’s tendons –
there is a LONG head and a SHORT head ! The two heads eventually merge
into the ‘belly’ or bulk of the biceps muscle > finally inserting just past the elbow joint .
Official Attachment points:
Origin (where it comes from):
LONG HEAD:
supraglenoid tubercle of the scapula & SHORT HEAD: Coracoid process of the scapula. (fancy words
for two bony prominences on the FRONT of shoulder blade close to the shoulder
joint)
Insertion point (where it attaches): Radial Tuberosity and the
bicipital aponeurosis > two areas just past the elbow joint on the forearm.
ACTIONS of Biceps Brachii:
1: flexes the entire arm at the glenohumeral joint (shoulder
joint) aka : raising your arm up!
2: flexes the forearm at the elbow joint aka: bending your
arm!
& 3: SUPINATION
of the forearm at the radio-ulnar joint.
What is Supination?
Hold your arm out in front of you with the palm of your hand facing the
ground. Now flip your hand so that the palm faces the sky! That action is called
SUPINATION! The twisting motion happens at the Radioulnar joint which is where
the two forearm bones meet > just under the elbow.
here is a wee video showing you all three actions in the order above
Biceps
are often TIGHT because they live next door to the PECTORALS If you
want to give BICEPS a good STRETCH then I recommend a good ol' fashioned
CHEST WALL STRETCH. Here is a video for the chest wall stretch > NOT SHOWN IN VIDEO: to isolate biceps simply flip your hand so that your palm is face away from the wall (back of hand is touching wall)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSqIY0lRAvU
