Upper limb
Biceps Brachii, Short Head
Musculus biceps brachii, caput breve
- Origin
- Coracoid process of the scapula
- Insertion
- Radial tuberosity
- Function
- Flexion of the elbow and supination of the forearm; assists shoulder flexion
- Innervation
- Musculocutaneous nerve (C5–C6)
- Movement & chain
- Together with the long head forms biceps brachii; the short head lies more medially and works closely with coracobrachialis, with which it shares its origin on the coracoid process.
- Palpation
- Medial to the long head on the anterior upper arm, palpable together with it during resisted flexion in supination.
- Clinical
- Rupture of the short head is rare compared to the long head, because the tendon does not run through the narrow intertubercular groove and is subjected to less mechanical stress.
- Segmental innervation
- C5–C6.
- In clinical practice
- Safe transfer techniques avoiding arm traction (prevents shoulder subluxation in stroke patients); monitor injection sites and offload scapular pressure.
- Region in the model
- Upper limb