Bicipital Groove

Bicipital Groove

The humerus bone of the upper arm contains an anatomical feature called the Bicipital Groove, which is also referred to as the intertubercular groove or the sulcus. The long head of the biceps brachii muscle tendon, which extends from the shoulder to the elbow, is accommodated and protected by the bicipital groove, which is located on the anterior (front) aspect of the bone.

It permits the long tendon of the biceps brachii muscle to pass through. This unique groove facilitates the smooth movement of the arm and efficient transfer of muscular forces by supporting the stability and healthy operation of the biceps tendon.

Studying human anatomy requires an understanding of the structure and function of the bicipital groove, especially in order to understand upper limb mechanics and the relationships between bones, muscles, and tendons.

The bicipital groove splits the greater and smaller tubercles. Adults are about 8 cm long, 4–6 mm deep, and 1 cm wide on average. The long biceps brachii tendon lodges between the pectoralis major tendons on the lateral lip and the teres major tendons on the medial lip. An additional branch of the anterior humeral circumflex artery originates at the shoulder joint.

The latissimus dorsi muscle inserts into the bicipital groove floor. The teres major muscle inserts into the groove on the medial lip.

It ends near the location where the top part of the bone joins the middle third, curving downward.  It is the axilla's lateral wall.

Attachments of Bicipital Groove

Musculotendinous

Three tendons attach to the bicipital groove are:

• lateral lip: pectoralis major
• floor: latissimus dorsi
• medial lip: teres major

Relations and/or Boundaries

The bicipital groove is located on the anterior surface of the proximal humerus and has the following boundaries:

• Superiorly: transverse humeral ligament
• Laterally: greater tuberosity of the humerus
• Medially: lesser tuberosity of the humerus

Function

The long tendon of the biceps brachii muscle can pass through the bicipital groove.

The transverse humeral ligament and the muscle fibers that extend from it stabilize and facilitate the tendon of the long head of the biceps brachi muscle in this groove, preventing subluxation during multidirectional biomechanical movements of the arms. Furthermore, the main biomechanical actions of the biceps brachi muscle, whose tendon is situated in the bicipital groove, are supination, flexion, and screwing.

Clinical Importance

• Long head of biceps tendon dislocation
• Bicipital Tendinitis
• Pectoralis major tear
• Latissimus dorsi tear