UPPER LIMBS

GENERAL INFORMATION

The upper limb muscles include several vital muscles that control the movement of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and fingers. These muscles allow for a wide range of motions like flexion, extension, abduction, and rotation, making them essential for everyday activities like lifting, carrying, throwing, and gripping. The upper limbs are divided into the shoulder, upper arm, forearm, and hand, all powered by specific muscle groups that work together for functional movement and strength.

ORIGIN

• Biceps Brachii: Long head from the supraglenoid tubercle; short head from the coracoid process of the scapula.

• Triceps Brachii: Long head from the infraglenoid tubercle of the scapula; lateral and medial heads from the posterior humerus.

• Deltoid: Lateral third of the clavicle, acromion, and spine of the scapula.

• Brachialis: Distal half of the anterior surface of the humerus.

• Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus: Lateral supracondylar ridge of the humerus.

INSERTION POINT

• Biceps Brachii: Radial tuberosity and bicipital aponeurosis.

• Triceps Brachii: Olecranon process of the ulna.

• Deltoid: Deltoid tuberosity of the humerus.

• Brachialis: Coronoid process and tuberosity of the ulna.

• Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus: Base of the second metacarpal.

MAJOR ARTERIES

• Brachial Artery: The main artery supplying the upper arm.

• Radial and Ulnar Arteries: Supply the forearm and hand.

• Subclavian Artery: Supplies the shoulder region.

NEURAL INNERVATION

• Biceps Brachii: Musculocutaneous nerve (C5-C6).

• Triceps Brachii: Radial nerve (C6-C8).

• Deltoid: Axillary nerve (C5-C6).

• Brachialis: Musculocutaneous nerve (C5-C6) and radial nerve (C5-C7).

• Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus: Radial nerve (C6-C7).

TRIGGER POINT

Trigger points in the upper limb muscles, such as the biceps and triceps, can cause referred pain in the shoulder, elbow, or forearm. Repetitive movements or overuse, particularly during lifting or gripping, often lead to these trigger points, resulting in muscle stiffness, pain, and limited mobility.

CONCENTRIC FUNCTION

• Biceps Brachii: Flexes the elbow and supinates the forearm, essential for lifting and pulling movements.

• Triceps Brachii: Extends the elbow, which is crucial for pushing movements and straightening the arm.

• Deltoid: Abducts, flexes, and extends the shoulder, playing a significant role in arm elevation and rotation.

• Brachialis: Flexes the elbow, providing primary strength for elbow flexion.

• Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus: Extends and abducts the wrist, which is essential for stabilising the hand during gripping.

ECCENTRIC FUNCTION

• Biceps Brachii: Controls elbow extension, assisting in lowering objects after lifting.

• Triceps Brachii: Controls elbow flexion, slowing the arm as it returns from extension.

• Deltoid: Controls the downward movement of the arm during adduction, stabilising shoulder movements.

• Brachialis: Assists in controlling elbow extension, preventing the arm from dropping too quickly.

• Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus: Controls wrist flexion, providing smooth movement during activities like writing or typing.

ISOMETRIC FUNCTION

The upper limb muscles provide stabilisation during static movements such as holding a weight or maintaining a fixed position. The biceps and triceps work to maintain elbow stability, while the deltoid and brachialis stabilise the shoulder and elbow during isometric contractions.

RELATED MUSCLE – SCIENTIFIC NAMES

• Coracobrachialis: Assists with shoulder flexion and adduction.

• Pronator Teres: Pronates the forearm, rotating the palm downward.

• Supinator: Supinates the forearm, rotating the palm upward.

• Flexor Carpi Ulnaris: Flexes and adducts the wrist.

• Extensor Digitorum: Extends the fingers and assists in wrist extension.

ANTAGONIST

• Triceps Brachii: Opposes the biceps by extending the elbow while the biceps flex it.

• Biceps Brachii: Opposes the triceps by flexing the elbow during lifting and pulling movements.

• Pectoralis Major: Opposes the deltoid during shoulder flexion and abduction.

• Flexor Carpi Radialis: Opposes the wrist extensors by flexing the wrist during gripping actions.

• Latissimus Dorsi: Opposes the deltoid during shoulder abduction, controlling arm extension.

COMMON INJURIES

• Biceps Tendonitis: Inflammation of the biceps tendon caused by overuse, leading to pain during lifting or shoulder movements.

• Triceps Strain: Overstretching or tearing of the triceps muscle, commonly caused by sudden forceful movements, leading to pain in the back of the arm.

• Deltoid Strain: Overuse or injury to the deltoid muscle, causing shoulder pain and difficulty with arm movements.

• Extensor Tendonitis: Inflammation of the wrist extensor tendons, often caused by repetitive wrist extension during gripping or typing.

• Elbow Tendonitis (Tennis Elbow): Inflammation of the tendons around the elbow due to overuse, particularly in activities involving repetitive arm and wrist movements.

EXERCISES

• Bicep Curls: Hold a dumbbell in each hand, curl the weights towards your shoulders, engaging the biceps to improve arm strength.

• Tricep Dips: Lower and raise your body using parallel bars or a bench, engaging the triceps to improve elbow extension and strength.

• Overhead Shoulder Press: Hold dumbbells or a barbell and press overhead, strengthening the deltoid and improving shoulder stability.

• Hammer Curls: Perform curls with a neutral grip to engage the brachialis and build overall arm strength.

• Wrist Extensions: Hold a light dumbbell and lift the wrist, targeting the extensor muscles to improve forearm and grip strength.

STRETCHES

• Overhead Tricep Stretch: Bend the elbow and reach one arm overhead, using the opposite hand to gently push back the elbow to stretch the triceps.

• Cross-Body Shoulder Stretch: Pull one arm across your chest with the opposite hand to stretch the deltoid and upper arm muscles.

• Wrist Flexor Stretch: Extend the arm forward with the palm up and gently pull back on the fingers to stretch the wrist flexors and improve mobility.

• Biceps Stretch: Stand and extend your arm behind you, pressing the palm against a wall to stretch the biceps and improve flexibility.

• Forearm Extensor Stretch: Extend the arm with the palm facing down, and gently press the back of the hand to stretch the wrist extensors and improve the range of motion.