Structure/Morphology
The biceps brachii tendon is the flat tendon that attaches the muscle bellies of the long and short heads of the biceps brachii muscle to the radial tuberosity of the radius.
The proximal end of the tendon begins anterior to the elbow joint, where the two heads of the biceps brachii muscle converge to form this single tendon. The biceps brachii tendon can be split into two tendinous components:
- the anteriorly located portion is the tendinous component of the short head of biceps brachii;
- the posteriorly located portion is the tendinous component of the long head of biceps brachii (Standring, 2016).
The distal end of the biceps brachii tendon twists and attaches to the rough area of the radial tuberosity.
Related parts of the anatomy
Anatomical Relations
The biceps brachii tendon is located:
- anterior (superficial) to the brachialis muscle and the bicipitoradial bursa;
- lateral, then posterior (deep), to the brachial artery;
- medial to the brachioradialis muscle.
Function
The biceps brachii tendon attaches the muscle bellies of the long and short heads of the biceps brachii to the radial tuberosity of the radius. This insertion site allows the biceps brachii muscle to be able to both:
- flex the forearm at the elbow joint;
- supinate the forearm at the radioulnar joints.
From the biceps brachii tendon arises a flat tendinous expansion, known as the bicipital aponeurosis, which travels inferomedially along the cubital fossa and proximal end of the forearm to attach to the antebrachial fascia.
List of Clinical Correlates
- Biceps brachii tendinitis
References
Standring, S. (2016) Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. Gray's Anatomy Series 41st edn.: Elsevier Limited.
