In this pdf-note, we’ll start with the borders of the upper limb:

• The anterior border is the deltopectoral groove

• The posterior border is the posterior deltoid groove

  

  

Within the upper limb, there is a large number of regions:

• Deltoid region (regio deltoidea)

• Axillary region (regio axillaris)

• Anterior region of the arm (regio brachialis anterior)

• Posterior region of the arm (regio brachialis posterior)

• Anterior region of the elbow (regio cubitalis anterior)

• Posterior region of the elbow (regio cubitalis posterior)

• Anterior region of the forearm (regio anterobrachialis anterior)

• Posterior region of the forearm (regio anterobrachialis posterior)

• Anterior region of the wrist (regio carpalis anterior)

• Posterior region of the wrist (regio carpalis posterior)

• Palmar region of the hand (regio palmaris manus)

• Dorsal region of the hand (regio dorsalis manus)

Within these areas, the muscles of the upper limb are located.

These include:

• Pectoral girdle muscles

• Muscles of the free part of the upper limb

The muscles of the free part of the upper limb are divided into:

• Arm muscles

• Forearm muscles

• Hand muscles

There are two groups of arm muscles: anterior and posterior. They are separated by the so-called medial and lateral intermuscular septa (septum intermusculare brachii mediale et septum intermusculare brachii laterale).

The anterior group is the flexor muscles. These include:

• Biceps brachii muscle (m. biceps brachii)

  

  

  

  

  

  Biceps brachii muscle
  (m. biceps brachii)

  Origin:

  Long head (caput longum) arises from the supraglenoid tubercle of the scapula

  Short head (caput breve) arises from the coracoid process of the scapula

  Insertion: radial tuberosity (with a single tendon). Bicipital aponeurosis (aponeurosis musculi bicipitis brachii) also known as the Pirogov’s aponeurosis arises from the tendon

  Function: flexion of the upper limb at the elbow joint and partially at the shoulder joint

  Innervation: musculocutaneous nerve (C5-C8)

  Blood supply: axillary artery, brachial artery, superior and inferior ulnar collateral arteries, recurrent radial artery

• Coracobrachialis muscles (m. coracobrachialis)

  

  Coracobrachialis muscles
  (m. coracobrachialis)

  Origin: coracoid process of the scapula

  Insertion: anterior and medial surface of the humerus inferiorly to the crest of the lesser tubercle

  Function: flexion and adduction of the upper limb at the shoulder joint

  Innervation: musculocutaneous nerve (C5-C8)

  Blood supply: anterior and posterior circumflex humeral arteries

• Brachialis muscle (m. brachialis)

  

  

  

  Brachialis muscle
  (m. brachialis)

  Origin: inferior two thirds of the humerus distal to the deltoid tuberosity, medial and lateral intermuscular septi of the arm

  Insertion: tuberosity of the ulna, capsule of the elbow joint

  Function: flexion of the upper limb at the elbow joint

  Innervation: musculocutaneous nerve (C5-C8)

  Blood supply: superior and inferior collateral ulnar arteries, deep artery of the arm, radial recurrent artery

The posterior group is the extensor muscles. These include:

• Triceps brachii muscle (m. triceps brachii)

  

  

  

  

  Triceps brachii muscle
  (m. triceps brachii)

  Origin:

  Long head (caput longum) arises from the infraglenoid tubercle of the scapula

  Medial head (caput mediale) arises from the posterior surface of the humerus medial to the radial grove; as well as from the medial and lateral intermuscular septi of the arm

  Lateral head (caput laterale) arises from the posteroexternal surface of the humerus; as well as from the lateral intermuscular septum

  Insertion: olecranon of the ulna (by a common tendon), capsule of the elbow joint

  Function: extension of the upper limb at the elbow joint, the long head also performs extension and adduction at the shoulder joint

  Innervation: radial nerve (C5-C8)

  Blood supply: posterior circumflex humeral artery, deep artery of the arm, superior and inferior collateral ulnar arteries

• Anconeus muscle (m. anconeus)

Dictionary

Arm muscles

Deltoid region

regio deltoidea

Axillary region

regio axillaris

Anterior region of the arm

regio brachialis anterior

Posterior region of the arm

regio brachialis posterior

Anterior region of the elbow

regio cubitalis anterior

Posterior region of the elbow

regio cubitalis posterior

Anterior region of the forearm

regio anterobrachialis anterior

Posterior region of the forearm

regio anterobrachialis posterior

Anterior region of the wrist

regio carpalis anterior

Posterior region of the wrist

regio carpalis posterior

Palmar region of the hand

regio palmaris manus

Dorsal region of the hand

regio dorsalis manus

Medial intermuscular septum of the arm

septum intermusculare brachii mediale

Lateral intermuscular septum of the arm

septum intermusculare brachii laterale

Biceps brachii muscle

m. biceps brachii

Coracobrachialis muscle

m. coracobrachialis

Brachialis muscle

m. brachialis

Triceps brachii muscle

m. triceps brachii

Anconeus muscle

m. anconeus