The brachial biceps It is a muscle of significant size located in the anterior area of the upper limb, seen clearly under the skin and which has been venerated by human culture as a symbol of strength and body beauty..
The biceps brachii muscle, together with the more deeply located and smaller anterior brachialis muscle, make up the group of flexor muscles of the upper limb, acting on the elbow joint and its surroundings..
From Latin biceps brachii, owes its name to the presence of two "heads" in its origin, remembering that the prefix "bi" Means "double" Y "Ceps" refers to "Heads" or "Portions".
The biceps brachii is nourished thanks to the vascularization provided by one or sometimes two direct branches of the main artery of the arm, the humeral, known by the name of bicipital arteries, and its motor and sensory innervation depends on a branch from the musculocutaneous nerve directly: the biceps nerve.
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As previously mentioned, it is made up of two portions or heads proximal to the shoulder:
It begins in the process or coracoid process of the scapula.
It begins in the supraglenoid tubercle of the scapula by a long tendon, crosses the humeral joint and sits in the intertubercular groove of the humerus.
Both portions, joining, are continued in an elongated belly that ends in a common tendon that is attached to the bicipital tuberosity of the radius.
The biceps flexes the forearm at the elbow joint. Thanks to its insertion in the radius, it also acts as a supinator, producing a rotary movement if the forearm has previously performed the pronation with opposite rotation.
Biceps injuries can occur from either of its two origins, in its course or in the region of the elbow where it inserts and ends..
Various factors influence the appearance of diseases in the biceps, many related to physical activities - sports or work - or age.
Among the most frequent pathologies of the biceps brachii we have:
Although the name assumes that the pathology encompasses the entire muscle, it actually refers to the long portion or head of the muscle and is associated with other shoulder injuries such as those of the rotator cuff.
It usually occurs as a consequence of a repetitive action of the shoulder, as occurs in some work or sports activities, and its diagnosis and treatment are delayed because initially the discomfort is tolerable.
Those who suffer from tendonitis or bicipital instability present with pain of varying intensity in the anterior region of the shoulder that can extend to the arm and worsens with activities that put pressure on the shoulder.
A particular sign of bicipital instability is a clicking sound that is heard or felt when moving or rotating the shoulder..
Biceps tendon rupture is characterized by the appearance of sudden and intense pain, either at the shoulder or elbow level, with a tearing sensation referred to by patients as if something had broken inside. It is accompanied by local swelling, bruising, weakness, and difficulty moving the affected arm.
It is produced by the tendon leaving its usual route which is the intertubercular groove of the humerus, also known as the bicipital groove of the shoulder.
Overuse and trauma are the main causes of this instability, although it can also be found in elderly people due to weakening of the tendon and muscle fibers.
It can affect either of the two heads of the biceps:
The injury can be partial or complete and begins in an already weakened tendon, which can definitively rupture after a great effort when lifting weight..
The long head of the biceps is injured more frequently, however the damage of the short head is unusual, so that being healthy, the person can continue to use the shoulder although with pain.
The damage can be of traumatic origin, as occurs when trying to stop a fall with the arm fully extended, or by wear of an overused tendon, which is more prone to injury.
The risk of injury increases with age, certain sports such as tennis, swimming or weightlifting, and heavy work activities.
Less frequent than the previous one but more dramatic. It presents as the avulsion or complete tear of the insertion of the tendon in the elbow, specifically in the bicipital tuberosity of the radius.
Occurs when the flexed elbow is forced to extend violently, such as when dropping a heavy box or attempting to catch a free-falling load.
In addition to the symptomatic clinic, which is quite characteristic, complementary studies such as x-rays, echo sonograms of soft tissues and more specifically magnetic resonances of the affected area can be performed..
There are two trends when treating this type of injury: conservative or surgical, which will depend on many factors, such as age, form of appearance, patient activity and doctor's preferences..
Conservative treatment requires temporary immobilization with rest, analgesic and anti-inflammatory treatment, and then rehabilitative therapy. Surgery resolves the injury immediately but is more painful and risky, in addition to leaving large scars when the damage cannot be resolved arthroscopically or minimally invasive..
Historically, this muscle has represented the highest achievement of body beauty, especially masculine, as a symbol of prestige among warriors and soldiers. It has been exalted in sculptures and other works of art, as well as in photography and film in our times..
It is also a fundamental element in bodybuilding, being one of the most worked muscles and evaluated by athletes and judges in competitions, there are specific exercise regimens for that area of the body that occasionally border on the dangerous and insane.
This bodybuilding practice is one of the main causes of bicipital injuries, and not only because of the physical effort that it entails, but because its damage has been related to the consumption of anabolic steroids, a product widely used by those who practice this sport, even knowingly of the negative consequences that they bring.
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