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Coracobrachialis
Other Terms:
Pirogoff's aponeurosis,
Musculus coracobrachialis,
Muscle coraco-brachial
Muscle parts
None
Latin name
Musculus coracobrachialis
Latin muscle parts
None
Group
Brachial muscle – anterior compartment
Etymology
In English, this muscle’s name is the crow arm muscle. What does this odd translation of the Latin mean? Let’s examine this in a little more detail to clarify.The term coraco- in the muscle’s name is from the Greek corax meaning “raven or crow.” The ancient anatomist Galen thought that the anterior projection of the scapula, called the coracoid process, resembled a raven or crow perched on a branch, so he referred to it as the crow-like process. This muscle arises from this crow-like process and annexes the term as part of its name.The brachialis portion of the name refers to the fact that it courses into and ends in the brachium from the Latin term brachium, which derives from the Greek brachion meaning “arm,” in reference to the region of the upper limb between the shoulder and the elbow.
Origin
Coracoid process of the scapula
Insertion
Medial surface of mid-humeral shaft
Action
Flexion of the humerus – the muscle is most effective when the arm is extended and it also draws the arm somewhat medially as it flexes.
Nerve supply
Musculocutaneous nerve (C6 and C7)
Blood supply
Small muscular branches from the axillary artery and brachial arteries; anterior circumflex humeral artery.
Latin
Musculus coracobrachialis
French
Muscle coraco-brachial