Download Elbow Joint Muscles

Elbow Joint Muscles
The elbow muscles can be grouped into those which bend and straighten the elbow joint, and
those which act on the radio-ulnar joints, to supinate (turn the palm up) and pronate (palm down)
the wrist.
Click the muscles below for further information, including attachment points, actions and nerve
supplies.
Biceps Brachii
The main muscle in the arm for bending the elbow.
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Anconeus
A small muscle at the back of the elbow.
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Brachialis
Assists the Biceps muscle in bending the elbow.
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Supinator
Helps to turn the palm of the hand upwards.
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Brachioradialis
Helps in flexing the elbow and turning the hand over.
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Pronator Teres
Helps to turn the palm of the hand downeards.
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Triceps Brachii
The main muscle which straightens the elbow.
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Pronator Quadratus
Also helps to turn the palm down (pronate).
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Movements of the Elbow Muscles

Flexion - bending the arm at the elbow.

Extension - straightening the arm at the elbow.

Supination - turning the palm of the hand upwards.

Pronation - turning the palm of the hand downwards.
(The bottom two are technically movements at the radio-ulna joints, rather than the elbow.
However, the movements are produced by some of the muscles around the elbow joint).

Biceps Brachii

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The Biceps brachii crosses both the elbow and shoulder joints. Its action on the
shoulder joint is very weak flexion.
The Biceps Brachii works most efficiently in flexing the elbow joint when the forearm is supinated
(palm facing up). The bicep curl is the most commonly used exercise to strengthen this muscle.
Origin

Long head - top of the glenoid fossa.

Short head - coracoid process.
Insertion

Bicipital tuberosity of the radius.

Bicipital aponeurosis into the deep fascia of the forearm.
Actions

Elbow flexion.

Supination of the forearm.
Innervation

Musculocutaneus nerve.
Daily uses

Picking up a shopping bag.

Biceps curl using a resistance band or dumbbell.
Example exercises

Bicep curl.
Related injuries

Biceps tendon inflammation.
Related muscles

Brachioradialis

Brachialis.
Brachialis
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The Brachialis acts to flex the elbow whether in pronation or supination, along
with Biceps Brachii. As Brachialis is attached to the Ulna, which cannot rotate, it
is the only true flexor of the elbow.
Origin

Lower half of the anterior humerus.
Insertion

Coronoid process of the ulna.
Actions

Elbow flexion.
Innervation

Musculocutaneous nerve.
Daily uses

Picking up shopping bags.
Example strengthening exercises

Bicep curls using a resistance band.
Related muscles

Biceps brachii.

Brachioradialis.
Brachioradialis



The Brachioradialis muscle acts to supinate the forearm from a pronated position,
when it flexes the elbow. When starting in a supinated position, it acts to pronate
the hand as it flexes the elbow.
Origin

Lower 2/3 of the lateral supracondylar ridge of the humerus.
Insertion

Styloid process of the radius.
Actions

Elbow flexion.

Pronation.

Supination.
Innervation

Radial nerve.
Daily uses

Turning a corkscrew.
Example strengthening exercises

Bicep curls using a resistance band.
Related muscles

Biceps Brachii.

Brachialis.
Triceps Brachii



The Triceps Brachii also assists Latissimus Dorsi in extending the shoulder joint.
It contracts strongly during the up phase of a push up, to straighten the arm.
Origin

Long head - Lower part of the glenoid cavity of the scapula

Lateral head - Upper half of the posterior surface of the humerus

Medial head - Lower 2/3 of the posterior surface of the humerus
Insertion

Olecranon process of the ulna
Actions

Elbow extension
Innervation

Radial nerve
Daily uses

Pushing a door closed
Example strengthening exercises

Tricep extension

Overhead tricep extension

Tricep dips
Example stretches

Tricep stretch
Related injuries

Inflammation or rupture of the triceps tendon
Related muscles

Anconeus
Anconeus



The Anconeus works alongside Triceps Brachii in extending the elbow. It also
acts to pull the synovial membrane out of the way of the olecranon process when
the elbow is extending.
Origin

Posterior surface of the lateral condyle of the humerus.
Insertion

Posterior surface of the upper ulna and its olecranon process.
Actions

Elbow extension.
Innervation

Radial nerve.
Daily uses

Pushing a door closed.
Example strengthening exercises

Tricep extension with a resistance band.

Overhead triceps extension with a resistance band.
Example stretches

Tricep stretch.
Related muscles

Triceps brachii.
Supinator



The Supinator muscle assists Biceps Brachii in supinating the hand, that is
turning it over so that the palm faces up. To isolate the supinator muscle,
supinate the hand whilst extending the elbow as this takes out the Biceps muscle.
Origin

Lateral supracondylar ridge of the humerus.

Posterior part of the ulna.
Insertion

Outer surface of the upper third of the radius.
Actions

Supination.
Innervation

Posterior interosseous branch of the radial nerve.
Daily uses

Turning a screwdriver.
Example strengthening exercises

Supination using a resistance band.
Related muscles

Biceps brachii.

Brachioradialis.
Pronator Teres



Pronator Teres works the hardest when the elbow is flexing and the hand
simultaneously pronating.
Origin

Medial supracondylar ridge of the humerus.

Medial side of the coronoid process of the ulna.
Insertion Middle

1/3 of the outer surface of the radius.
Actions

Pronation.

Elbow flexion.
Innervation

Median nerve.
Daily uses

Turning a screwdriver.
Example strengthening exercises

Pronation using a resistance band.
Related muscles

Pronator quadratus
Pronator Quadratus



Pronator Quadratus works in conjunction with Triceps Brachii during pronation
with elbow extension.
Origin

Lower quarter of the anterior surface of the ulna
Insertion

Lower quarter of the anterior side of the radius
Actions

Pronation
Innervation

Median nerve
Daily uses

Turning a screwdriver
Example strengthening exercises

Pronation using a resistance band
Related muscles

Triceps brachii

Pronator teres