Biceps brachii

Looks like

The two-headed muscle on the front of the upper arm, bulging when the elbow bends.

What it does

Bends the elbow and turns the palm upwards — the twist of a screwdriver.

Keeping it well

A sudden pop with a ball of muscle sliding down ('Popeye' sign) is a tendon rupture; a tear at the elbow should be seen within days, as repair is time-limited.

Its parts

• Long head of biceps brachii
• Short head of biceps brachii

Related conditions

• Botulism
• Fibromyalgia
• Frailty & falls in older age
• Heat exhaustion & heatstroke
• Malnutrition & refeeding syndrome
• Muscular dystrophy
• Polymyalgia rheumatica
• Rhabdomyolysis
• Sarcoma
• Sarcopenia
• Tetanus