Brachialis

Original Editor - Eric Henderson

Top Contributors - Eric Henderson, Matthew Chin, Kirenga Bamurange Liliane, Kim Jackson, Joao Costa and Wendy Snyders

Description[edit | edit source]

The Brachialis Muscle[1]

The brachialis muscle is the primary flexor of the elbow. This muscle is located in the anterior compartment of the arm along with the Biceps Brachii and coracobrachialis.

Origin[edit | edit source]

Distal anterior aspect of the humerus, deep to the biceps brachii.[2]

Insertion[edit | edit source]

Coronoid process and the ulnar tuberosity.[2]

Nerve[edit | edit source]

The brachialis muscle is innervated by the musculocutaneous nerve and components of the radial nerve. The radial nerve descends in the groove between the brachialis and brachioradialis muscles, above the elbow. Of the muscles in the anterior compartment, the biceps brachii and the brachialis are innervated by C5 and C6 nerve roots.[3]

Brachial-plexus-2.png

Artery[edit | edit source]

Muscular branches of brachial artery, recurrent radial artery.[2]

Function[edit | edit source]

The brachialis muscle has a large cross sectional area, providing it with more strength than the biceps brachii and the coracobrachialis.[4] In order to isolate the brachialis muscle the forearm needs to be in pronation, due to the biceps brachii's function as a supinator and flexor.[4] By pronating the forearm the biceps is put into a mechanical disadvantage.

Cross Sectional View of the Upper Arm[3]

Clinical relevance[edit | edit source]

The brachialis muscle can be commonly injured by repetitive forceful contractions or muscular contractions with the arm in hyperextension. This is commonly seen in climbers, due to the pronation of the hand and the extended started position.[5] Physical activity that involve a lot of pull ups, curls, and rope climbing can also initiate brachialis muscle pain.[6] A strain to the brachialis tendon can also cause a patient to present with lacking elbow extension due to painful end-range stretching of the tendon. Due to the location of the pain, medial epicondylitis and lateral epicondylitis should also be evaluated.

The brachialis acts as the floor of the cubital fossa[3], and is part of the radial tunnel. It may be implicated in Erb's palsy if the Brachial plexus becomes injured, leading to elbow flexion weakness.

Video[edit | edit source]

Assessment[edit | edit source]

To assess the strength of the brachialis place the elbow at 90 degrees of flexion with the forearm fully pronated. Then have the patient resist an inferior force placed on the distal forearm.[7]

Resources[edit | edit source]

  1. Anatomography. English: Brachialis muscle. [Internet]. 2013 [cited 2018 Mar 21]. Available from: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Brachialis_muscle11.png
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Brachialis [Internet]. [cited 2018 Mar 21]. Available from: https://rad.washington.edu/muscle-atlas/brachialis/
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Gray, Henry. 1918. Anatomy of the Human Body [Internet]. [cited 2018 Mar 21]. Available from: http://www.bartleby.com/107/ 
  4. 4.0 4.1 Marieb EN, Hoehn K. Human anatomy & physiology. 10th ed. Boston, Ma: Pearson; 2016.
  5. Bond T. Tom’s Physiotherapy Blog: “Climber’s elbow” - Brachialis Tendonitis [Internet]. Tom’s Physiotherapy Blog. 2013 [cited 2018 Mar 21]. Available from: http://thomasbondphysio.blogspot.com/2013/06/climbers-elbow-brachialis-tendonitis.html
  6. Brachialis muscle pain & trigger points [Internet]. [cited 2018 Mar 21]. Available from: https://www.muscle-joint-pain.com/trigger-points/trigger-point-self-treatment/brachialis/
  7. Muscolino JE. Kinesiology: the skeletal system and muscle function. 2nd ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby/Elsevier; 2011.