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Coracobrachialis Muscle Anatomy

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Origin
  • Coracoid process of the scapula
Insertion
  • Midshaft of the humerus (distal to the crest of the lesser tubercle)
Action
  • Shoulder adduction
  • Shoulder flexion
Innervation
  • Musculocutaneous nerve (C5, C6, C7)
Blood Supply
  • Branches of the brachial artery
Last updated: Estimated Reading Time: 5 min

Location & Overview

The coracobrachialis muscle is a prominent muscle situated in the upper arm region. It is one of three muscles that attach to the coracoid process of the scapula. The other two are the short head of the biceps brachii muscle and the pectoralis minor muscle. The coracobrachialis is the smallest of these three muscles. The coracobrachialis muscle is part of the anterior compartment of the arm. It is located medial to the biceps brachii and brachialis muscles. The primary roles of the coracobrachialis include flexion and adduction of the arm at the glenohumeral joint. It also contributes to maintaining the arm’s alignment in the frontal plane during abduction.[1,2]

coracobrachialis muscle, anterior view
Here we can see the coracobrachialis muscle from an anterior view.
coracobrachialis muscle, posterior view
Here we can see the coracobrachialis muscle from a posterior view.
coracobrachialis muscle, highlighted in red, amongst the other muscles of the body
Here we can see the coracobrachialis muscle highlighted in red. On the left, superficial muscles such as the biceps brachii, pectoralis major, and deltoid have been removed to reveal the coracobrachialis. On the right, you can see a very small section of the coracobrachialis highlighted in red, behind the biceps brachii.

Origin & Insertion

The coracobrachialis originates from the coracoid process of the scapula, a small hook-like structure on the lateral edge of the superior and anterior portion of the scapula. The coracobrachialis shares the apex of the coracoid process as its origin with the short head of the biceps brachii muscle.[2,3]

The muscle’s insertion is located on the medial surface of the humerus. It inserts around the midshaft of the humerus. Specifically, it attaches between the insertions of the triceps brachii and brachialis muscles, anchoring itself by means of a short, flat tendon.[2,3]

The origin of the coracobrachialis muscle
The origin of the coracobrachialis muscle is the coracoid process of the scapula, which is highlighted here in red.
The insertion of the coracobrachialis muscle
The insertion of the coracobrachialis muscle is the midshaft of the humerus (distal to the crest of the lesser tubercle) and is highlighted here in blue.

Action & Function

The primary actions of the coracobrachialis are flexing and adducting the arm at the glenohumeral joint (shoulder). Shoulder flexion involves reducing the angle between the arm and the body’s frontal plane, such as lifting the arm forward. Adduction involves drawing the arm closer to the body’s midline, moving it away from the lateral side. Another significant function of the coracobrachialis is to stabilise the arm during abduction, preventing deviation from the frontal plane.[1,4,2]

Image of a person demonstrating the movement of shoulder flexion.
This image shows shoulder flexion. Flexion is when the arm moves forward and upward in an anterior direction. The opposite of this is shoulder extension, which occurs as the arm is moved backward in a posterior direction. The coracobrachialis can assist with shoulder flexion.
Image of a person demonstrating the movement of shoulder adduction.
This image shows shoulder adduction. Adduction is when the arm is brought towards the midline of the body, reducing the angle between the arm and the torso. The opposite of adduction is abduction. Abduction occurs as the arm is moved away from the midline, increasing the angle between the arm and the torso. The coracobrachialis can assist with shoulder adduction.

Innervation

The coracobrachialis is innervated by the musculocutaneous nerve. This nerve originates from the lateral cord of the brachial plexus. The musculocutaneous nerve carries its fibres from the ventral rami of the spinal nerve roots C5-C7. As it descends, the musculocutaneous nerve passes through the coracobrachialis muscle, piercing it and providing the innervation that allows for its contractions and movements. It is also worth noting that the musculocutaneous nerve innervates the biceps brachii and the brachialis muscles, which are closely related in terms of their functions.[5,6]

musculocutaneous nerve
Here we can see the musculocutaneous nerve, which innervates the coracobrachialis.
brachial plexus
Here we can see an image of the brachial plexus. The musculocutaneous nerve is part of the brachial plexus. The left part of the image shows how the musculocutaneous nerve pierces the coracobrachialis.

Blood Supply

The blood supply of the coracobrachialis muscle is primarily provided by branches of the brachial artery, ensuring the muscle receives adequate oxygen and nutrients necessary for its function. The brachial artery is the major blood vessel of the upper arm and continues from the axillary artery at the lower margin of the teres major muscle.[3,4]

References

  1. [1] Moore KL, Agur AMR, Dalley AF. Clinically Oriented Anatomy. 8th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2017.
  2. [2] Szewczyk B, Polguj M, Paulsen F, Podgórski M, Duparc F, Karauda P, Olewnik Ł. A proposal for a new classification of coracobrachialis muscle morphology. Surg Radiol Anat. 2021 May;43(5):679-688. doi: 10.1007/s00276-021-02700-1. Epub 2021 Feb 9. PMID: 33564931; PMCID: PMC8105249.
  3. [3] Standring S. (2015). Gray’s Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice, 41st Edn. Amsterdam: Elsevier.
  4. [4] Georgiev GP, Landzhov B, Tubbs RS. A Novel Type of Coracobrachialis Muscle Variation and a Proposed New Classification. Cureus. 2017;9(7):e1466. Published 2017 Jul 13. doi:10.7759/cureus.1466
  5. [5] Chouke, K. S. (1924). Variation of the coracobrachialis muscle. The Anatomical Record, 27(3), 157-163.
  6. [6] Desai SS, Arbor TC, Varacallo M. Anatomy, Shoulder and Upper Limb, Musculocutaneous Nerve. (Updated 2022 Sep 8). In: StatPearls (Internet). Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534199/

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