Brachium

Brachium

The term brachium refers to the upper arm, specifically the region of the arm between the shoulder and the elbow. It is a crucial part of the human anatomy and plays a significant role in the movement and functionality of the arm.

Anatomy

The brachium is composed of several important structures, including bones, muscles, nerves, and blood vessels.

Bones

The primary bone in the brachium is the humerus. The humerus is a long bone that connects the shoulder to the elbow. It articulates with the scapula at the shoulder joint and with the radius and ulna at the elbow joint.

Muscles

The brachium contains several key muscles that facilitate movement:

• The biceps brachii is located on the anterior part of the brachium and is responsible for flexion of the elbow and supination of the forearm.
• The triceps brachii is located on the posterior part of the brachium and is responsible for extension of the elbow.
• The brachialis muscle lies underneath the biceps brachii and also assists in elbow flexion.

Nerves

The brachium is innervated by several important nerves, which are branches of the brachial plexus:

• The musculocutaneous nerve innervates the biceps brachii and brachialis muscles.
• The radial nerve innervates the triceps brachii and provides sensory information to the posterior arm.
• The median nerve and ulnar nerve pass through the brachium but primarily innervate muscles in the forearm and hand.

Blood Vessels

The main blood supply to the brachium comes from the brachial artery, which is a continuation of the axillary artery. The brachial artery runs down the length of the brachium and branches into the radial artery and ulnar artery at the elbow.

Function

The brachium is essential for various movements and functions of the upper limb. It allows for the flexion and extension of the elbow, which are necessary for activities such as lifting, throwing, and pushing. The muscles in the brachium also contribute to the stability and strength of the shoulder joint.

Clinical Significance

Injuries to the brachium can significantly impact the functionality of the arm. Common injuries include fractures of the humerus, muscle strains, and nerve damage. Conditions such as biceps tendonitis and triceps tendonitis can also affect the brachium.

Related Pages

• Humerus
• Biceps brachii
• Triceps brachii
• Brachial plexus
• Brachial artery
• Elbow joint