Brachialis muscle

Brachialis Muscle

The Brachialis muscle (pronounced: bruh-KY-uh-lis) is a muscle in the upper arm that flexes the elbow joint. It lies deeper than the Biceps brachii, and makes up part of the floor of the Cubital fossa.

Etymology

The term "Brachialis" originates from the Greek word "brachion" which means arm. The term was adopted in the 16th century to describe the muscle in the upper arm that is responsible for the flexion of the elbow joint.

Anatomy

The Brachialis muscle originates from the anterior surface of the Humerus, and it inserts at the coronoid process and the tuberosity of the Ulna. It is innervated by the Musculocutaneous nerve and the Radial nerve.

Function

The primary function of the Brachialis muscle is to flex the elbow joint. It is the strongest flexor of the elbow, even more so than the Biceps brachii. The Brachialis muscle is always a flexor at the elbow, no matter the position of supination or pronation of the forearm.

Related Terms

Biceps brachii: A muscle of the upper arm that has two heads and is located between the shoulder and the elbow.
Cubital fossa: A triangular area on the anterior view of the elbow of a human or other hominid animal.
Humerus: The bone of the upper arm or forelimb, forming joints at the shoulder and the elbow.
Ulna: The thinner and longer of the two bones in the human forearm, on the side opposite to the thumb.
Musculocutaneous nerve: A nerve present in the upper limb of the human body.
Radial nerve: A nerve in the human body that supplies the posterior portion of the upper limb.