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Exploring the unique structure of the biceps: how does it affect our arm movement?
The biceps, whose Latin name is musculus biceps brachii, means "the two heads of the arm". It is a large muscle located in the front of the upper arm, connecting the shoulder and elbow. This muscle has two origins, the short head and the long head, which together form a complete muscle belly that ultimately attaches to the upper part of the forearm.
The main functions of the biceps are flexion and supination at the elbow, both of which are particularly noticeable when working with a corkscrew.
The unique structure of the biceps allows it to span both joints at the shoulder and elbow, thus serving multiple functions. During exercise, when we use a bottle opener, the long head of the biceps cooperates with other muscles to first perform a supination action to screw in the cork, and then pull the cork out, successfully demonstrating the diversity of the biceps. operations.
Structure and variation
The biceps, together with two other muscles on the front of the upper arm, the brachialis and coracobrachialis, form the anterior compartment of the muscle. The two heads of the biceps are distinguished by their origins, the short head arising from the coracoid process of the scapula, and the long head arising from the superior articular tubercle of the scapula. This structure allows the biceps to remain functional as it passes through the joint groove on the humerus.
In addition to the conventional two-head structure, about 10% of individuals have an additional third head, and in rare cases there may even be four to seven super heads.
Nerve and blood supply
The nerve supply to the biceps comes from the musculocutaneous nerve, which gives the biceps a close neural connection with other anterior muscles. The source of blood supply to the biceps is the brachial artery, and the tendon at the elbow can be used to palpate the pulse of the brachial artery to provide a basis for diagnosis.
Function and clinical significance
The function of the biceps spans three joints, and its most important role is to supinate the forearm and flex the elbow. The long head of the biceps also prevents the humeral head from shifting upward and helps stabilize the joint. In daily life, whether you are lifting heavy objects or performing biceps exercises such as biceps curls, the biceps play a key role.
Pathological conditions of the biceps, such as tendonitis or partial tearing, often lead to anterior shoulder pain.
In sports, biceps tears are relatively common due to strong pulling, which may require surgery to repair for athletes. Daily resistance training, such as pull-ups and bicep curls, is an effective way to strengthen the biceps.
The historical and cultural symbol of the bicep
The name biceps comes from Latin, which means "the two muscles of the arm", which also reflects the uniqueness of its shape and function. In addition to their important physiological role, biceps are closely associated with the symbolic meaning of strength in many cultures.
Historically, Leonardo da Vinci discussed the supination function of the biceps in 1505, but this was not widely accepted by the medical community at the time. It was not until William Cheselden rediscovered it in 1713 that the action of this muscle was recorded by the medical community.
As time goes by, the functional understanding of the biceps continues to deepen, and much sports science literature focuses on its role in fitness and sports performance, and attempts to explore exercise methods that meet human needs.
So, does the nature and flexibility of the biceps allow us to use arm strength more effectively in our daily lives?
