European Journal of Anatomy

Official Journal of The Spanish Society of Anatomy
Cover Volume 23 - Number 2
Eur J Anat, 23 (2): 137-140 (2019)

A case of biceps brachii accessory humeral head associated with variant musculocutaneous and median nerve communications with clinical implications

Aaron Z. Katrikh1, Diane P. Savarese2, Christopher Ferrigno3

1Rush Medical College, Rush University, Chicago IL, USA, 2Rush College of Health Sciences, Rush University, Chicago IL, USA, 3Department of Cell & Molecular Medicine, Rush University, Chicago IL, USA

ABSTRACT We present a unique case of an accessory head to the biceps brachii arising from the humerus accompanied by bilateral connections of the musculocutaneous and median nerves identified during routine anatomical dissection in the anatomy lab of Rush University. On the left side, the accessory head attached proximally to the anteromedial surface of the midshaft humerus and joined the rest of the muscle via the common biceps tendon to attach distally onto the radius. It was innervated by a separate branch of the musculocutaneous nerve. Bilaterally, both connections between the musculocutaneous and median nerves occurred distal to the traditional contribution from the lateral cord of the brachial plexus. On the right side, the musculocutaneous nerve pierced the substance of the coracobrachialis muscle before giving a branch to innervate the biceps brachii muscle. These variations have clinical relevance for surgeons operating in the region and any clinician investigating peripheral nerve symptoms in the arm.

Keywords: Biceps brachii humeral head â?? Biceps brachii accessory head â?? Musculocutaneous and median nerve connection

European Journal of anatomy
ISSN 2340-311X (Online)