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Home › Body Atlas › Muscles › Brachioradialis (Full)
Muscle Forearm

Brachioradialis (Full)

musculus brachioradialis overview

Brachioradialis is the most lateral elbow flexor with a radial nerve supply making it the key localising muscle for radial nerve injuries and the classic tendon for radial nerve palsy tendon transfer.

An expanded entry for Brachioradialis.

Anatomical Data

Origin, Insertion & Supply

OriginLateral supracondylar ridge of the humerus, proximal two-thirds
InsertionStyloid process of the radius
Nerve SupplyRadial nerve (C5, C6), before the lateral epicondyle
Blood SupplyRadial artery
Biomechanics

Function & Actions

Actions
  • Flexes the elbow, most effective at 90 degrees
  • Brings the forearm to neutral rotation

It flexes the elbow, most strongly with the forearm in mid-position as when holding a hammer or lifting a glass, and brings the forearm toward mid-position from full pronation or supination.

Clinical Relevance

Clinical Notes

Preserved BR with absent wrist extensors localises the lesion to the PIN. BR is harvested for tendon transfer to restore finger extension. It is the dominant flexor during power gripping.

Palpation

Palpable on the lateral forearm during resisted elbow flexion in neutral rotation.

Pathology

Common Injuries & Conditions

Brachioradialis Transfer for Radial Nerve Palsy

BR to ECRB transfer restoring wrist extension using the proximally-arising radial nerve supply.

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