Anatomy of the Biceps Muscle: What Every Fitness Enthusiast Needs To Know?
Have you been working on your biceps, but not sure why they’re not looking the way you want them to?
It can be hard to keep up with all of the different workouts, exercises, and equipment out there if you don’t know what each one does to your body. That’s where this article comes in! Read on to find out about your biceps muscles.
Most fitness gurus use terms when explaining specific workouts and sometimes they are hard to understand, so a basic knowledge of biceps anatomy not only will help you to understand those terms but also will help to understand which part you should be focusing on to get the amazing physique you want.
The Anatomy of the Biceps Muscle and locations:
There are three main muscles in the biceps: the biceps brachii, brachialis, and brachioradialis.
The biceps brachii is the primary muscle responsible for flexing the elbow and is the most visible of the three muscles.
The brachialis is located underneath the biceps brachii and assists in elbow flexion.
The brachioradialis is located on the outer part of the arm and also assists in elbow flexion.
Out of all muscles that are situated in your upper arm and work together to contribute to movements and mobility, we will specifically discuss the biceps brachii, as it is the primary muscle that will help you to get bigger biceps.
The biceps brachii is the primary muscle that has two heads as well as two origins:
The short head and the long head.
Short-head muscle:
The short-head biceps muscle is one of the two muscles that make up the biceps brachii, commonly known as the biceps. The “short head” of the biceps brachii is located on the inside (medial) side of the arm. It attaches to the shoulder blade and the collarbone. The main function of the short-head biceps muscle is to lift the arm up.
Long-head muscle:
The long-head muscle is the primary biceps muscle responsible for the majority of the biceps’ power. This muscle is located on the outer side of the upper arm, extending from the shoulder to the elbow. The long-head biceps muscle is used in a wide range of motions, including pulling, lifting, and curling.
Functions of the Biceps Muscle:
There are a few key functions of biceps muscles:
- Flexing the elbow joint:-This is the function and what most people think of when they think of biceps muscle activity.
- Supinating the forearm:-This means turning the palm from facing down to facing up.
- Stabilizing the shoulder joint:-The biceps muscles help to keep the shoulder in place, especially when doing overhead motions.
- Assisting in breathing:-The biceps muscles help expand the chest during inhalation.
Myths about the Biceps Muscle:
There are a lot of myths about biceps muscles out there. These are some common myths:
1.Biceps muscles are the most important muscles for arm strength:
This is simply not true. While biceps muscles do contribute to arm strength, they are not the only factor. Other muscles such as the triceps, shoulders, and back also play a role in arm strength.
2.You need to lift heavy weights to build big biceps:
Again, this is not true. While lifting heavy weights can certainly help you build bigger biceps, it’s not the only way. You can also use lighter weights and higher reps to build muscle size.
3.Bicep curls are the best exercise for biceps development:
While bicep curls do target the biceps muscles, they are not necessarily the best exercise for developing them. There are other exercises that can better target the biceps and lead to greater muscle development.
Biceps brachii origin and insertion
The biceps brachii muscle has two heads. Long head and short head.
The long head of the biceps muscle originates from the supraglenoid tubercle of the scapula.
The short head of the biceps muscle originates from the coracoid process of the scapula.
Both the long head and the short head join together and insert at radial tuberosity on the radius bone on the forearm.
Major biceps brachii actions
The biceps brachii muscle is involved in:
- Elbow flexion : The biceps brachii is the muscle that flexes the elbow. Examples of elbow flexion are dumbbell curls
- Forearm Supination : Another function of the biceps brachii muscle is to supinate the arm or rotate the arm to palms up position.
- Shoulder Flexion: The long head of the biceps is involved in shoulder flexion as well. You can see this movement when you lift your arm in front of your body.
Biceps brachii location
The biceps brachii muscle is located at the front of the upper arm. It is located between the shoulder and the forearm bone.
There are two heads in biceps brachii. The long head or the outer head is located on the outside of the biceps. The short head is located on the inside of the biceps.
Biceps brachii nerve supply
The Biceps brachii muscle is innervated by the musculocutaneous nerve. The nerve originates from the C5 and C6 of the spinal nerve roots. This nerve allows the biceps to perform its several functions.
Biceps muscle anatomy bodybuilding
It is important to understand the biceps muscle anatomy for bodybuilding. Once you understand the long head and short head muscles, their functions and their difference, you would be able to train your arms in an effective manner.
Now that you know the basics of biceps anatomy, you can better target this muscle group during your workouts. Make sure you know the rule, “quality over quantity”.
Overall, the biceps muscle is a key player in many upper-body movements. So, if you’re looking to add some serious size and strength to your arms, then make sure to focus on training your biceps. And, with the right knowledge of anatomy, you can target this muscle more effectively for maximum results.