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| Latin | Musculus coracobrachialis |
|---|---|
| Origin |
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| Insertion |
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| Action |
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| Nerve | Musculocutaneous nerve (C5–C7) |
| Name | From coracoid (the scapula's 'crow's-beak' process) and Latin brachium, 'arm' — it runs from the coracoid to the arm. |
Palpation
- Client supine with the arm abducted to about 45° and laterally rotated, palm up, supported on the table.
- Find the short head of biceps on the inner upper arm, then move just behind (posterior to) it, high in the armpit.
- Feel a thin, firm band running from the coracoid region down the inside of the upper arm.
- Ask the client to bring the arm in towards the body against light resistance; the band tightens under your fingers.
Coracobrachialis is a small muscle in the upper inner arm. It shares its starting point on the Coracoid process with the short head of Biceps brachii and helps Pectoralis major and the anterior Deltoid bring the arm forward and across. On its own it is a weak mover, and it is usually worked as part of the upper arm rather than on its own.
The musculocutaneous nerve passes through this muscle, and the main nerves and vessels of the arm lie right beside it on the inner arm. Use light, broad pressure only, and stop if the client feels tingling or numbness down the arm.