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# Biceps (short head)

The short head of the biceps is the inner part of the biceps, starting at the coracoid process; it bends the elbow and turns the palm up.

Official name: Biceps brachii, short head

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## What it is

The inner head of the biceps, from the coracoid.

## What it does

Bends the elbow and turns the palm up.

## Key points

- Shares the conjoint tendon with the coracobrachialis at the tip of the coracoid, where the pectoralis minor also attaches
- The distal biceps tendon is the central landmark of the cubital fossa: brachial artery medial to it, median nerve further medial
- The bicipital aponeurosis covers the brachial artery and median nerve; the [median cubital vein](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/median-cubital-vein/) lies on top of it, used for venepuncture

## Key facts

**Origin**
Tip of the coracoid process

**Insertion**
Radial tuberosity and bicipital aponeurosis

**Action**
Supinates the forearm, flexes the elbow, weakly flexes the shoulder

**Nerve**
Musculocutaneous nerve (C5–C6)

**Blood supply**
Brachial artery

## Relations

**Above**
Coracoid process, with the [coracobrachialis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/coracobrachialis/) medially and the [pectoralis minor](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/pectoralis-minor-muscle/) above

**Lateral**
[Biceps (long head)](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/biceps-brachii-long-head/)

**Medial**
Coracobrachialis above, then the [brachial artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/brachial-artery/) and the [median nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/median-nerve/) in the groove along its medial border

**Deep**
[Brachialis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/brachialis/), with the [musculocutaneous nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/musculocutaneous-nerve/) between the two

**Below**
The [cubital fossa](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/cubital-fossa/), where the [distal biceps tendon](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/distal-biceps-tendon/) dives to the radial tuberosity and the aponeurosis fans medially over the forearm flexors

## How to find it

It is the medial half of the biceps belly. With the elbow bent and the forearm turned palm up against resistance, the distal biceps tendon stands out as a firm cord in the middle of the cubital fossa, and the bicipital aponeurosis as a sharp edge running medially.

## Examination

- Hook test: elbow bent 90° and forearm supinated, the examiner hooks a finger under the lateral edge of the distal tendon; no tendon to hook means a complete distal rupture
- Biceps squeeze test: squeezing the belly normally turns the forearm palm up; no movement suggests a distal rupture

## On imaging

Ultrasound and MRI show its origin with the coracobrachialis as the conjoint tendon at the coracoid tip; it merges with the long head in the arm. Distal biceps tears are imaged with ultrasound or MRI in the FABS position: a full tear shows a gap and a retracted tendon end, often with fluid at the radial tuberosity. Radiographs are usually normal.

## Clinical notes

- Distal biceps rupture typically affects middle-aged men lifting against a sudden load; supination power drops markedly, and an intact aponeurosis can limit how far the belly retracts
- The conjoint tendon is the safe-side landmark in anterior shoulder surgery: the [brachial plexus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/roots-of-brachial-plexus/) and axillary vessels lie medial to it
- In the cubital fossa a deep needle through the aponeurosis can reach the brachial artery or the median nerve

## Anatomical variants

- A third head, usually from the [humerus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/humerus/) near the coracobrachialis insertion, joins the main belly in a few percent (2–5% on the cited page; some texts more)

## Memory aid

Cubital fossa from lateral to medial: 'TAN', Tendon (biceps), Artery (brachial), Nerve (median).

## Related conditions

- [Biceps tendon rupture](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/biceps-tendon-rupture/)

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## Where does the short head of biceps arise, and which muscle shares its tendon?

The tip of the coracoid process, in a conjoint tendon with the coracobrachialis.

## What is the hook test for the distal biceps tendon?

Elbow bent 90°, forearm supinated, the examiner hooks a finger under the lateral edge of the tendon; no tendon to hook means a complete distal rupture.

## What lies medial to the distal biceps tendon in the cubital fossa?

The brachial artery, and further medial the median nerve.

## What does the bicipital aponeurosis cover, and what lies on top of it?

It covers the brachial artery and median nerve; the median cubital vein, used for venepuncture, lies on top of it.

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## Its names

**Official Latin (TA2)**
caput breve musculi bicipitis brachii TA2 2466

**Official Spanish (DeCS)**
Cabeza corta del músculo bíceps braquial

**English (TA2)**
Biceps brachii, short head

## Related

- [Musculocutaneous nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/musculocutaneous-nerve/)
- [Brachial artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/brachial-artery/)
- [Humerus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/humerus/)
- [Distal biceps tendon](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/distal-biceps-tendon/)

Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [Anatomy, Shoulder and Upper Limb, Biceps Muscle](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519538/).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/biceps-brachii-short-head/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/biceps-brachii-short-head/