Low
Incidence of the Third Head of the Biceps
Brachii in the North Indian Population
1323-1326
Correspondence
Dr. Prabhjot Cheema
House No. 1658, Phase 7, SAS Nagar,
Mohali, Punjab, India - 160062
Phone: +91 9779073689, +91 172 4657971
E-mail: manindergill2809@yahoo.com
Background: The biceps brachii is one of the most variable muscles in the body with regards to the number and morphology of its heads of origin. This aspect requires studies and evaluation in different populations because of its important functional and clinical implications.
Objective: To study the incidence of the third head of the biceps brachii in the north Indian population and its comparison with other population groups.
Methods: 126 upper limbs of 63 embalmed adult human cadavers were dissected as per the standard methods to note the origin, insertion and the nerve supply of the biceps brachii. Any additional head was particularly looked for.
Result: The three headed biceps brachii was detected unilaterally in three male cadavers, all belonging to the left side. While the short and long head had a normal origin, the third head originated near the insertion of the coracobrachialis and at the origin of the brachialis. It inserted into the muscle belly in two cases and into the bicipital aponeurosis in one case. In all the three cadavers, the third head was supplied by a branch from the musculocutaneous nerve.
Conclusion: The supernumerary heads of the biceps brachii is a frequently encountered anomaly and it has got large variations in its incidence in different population groups. This fact should be kept in mind by the anatomists as well as the clinicians, particularly in populations with a high incidence of it.