Sharadkumar P. Sawant et al VARIANT HEADS OF BICEPS BRACHII MUSCLE Int J Cur Res Rev, Oct 2012 / Vol 04 (20) , Page 170 IJCRR Vol 04 issue 20 Section: Healthcare Category: Research Received on: 19/08/12 Revised on:06/09/12 Accepted on:21/09/12 VARIANT HEADS OF BICEPS BRACHII MUSCLE Sharadkumar Pralhad Sawant , Shaguphta T. Shaikh, Rakhi Milind More Department of Anatomy, K.J.Somaiya Medical College, Somaiya Ayurvihar, Eastern Express Highway, Sion, Mumbai E-mail of Corresponding Author: dr.sharadsawant@yahoo.com ABSTRACT Aim: To study the occurrence of the variant heads of biceps brachii muscle. Materials and Methods: The 50 specimens of the 25 donated embalmed cadavers (20 males & 5 females) were dissected and observed for variations in the origin and insertion of biceps brachii muscle bilaterally in the department of Anatomy at K.J.Somaiya Medical College, Sion, Mumbai, INDIA. The dissection of arm and forearm was done meticulously in all the 50 specimens. The photographs of the supernumerary head of biceps brachii muscle were taken for proper documentation and for ready reference. Results / Observations: Out of 50 specimens, the supernumerary head was found in six specimens. The humeral head was taking origin from the anteromedial surface of the shaft of the humerus in three specimens and from the anterolateral surface of the shaft of the humerus in three specimens. In all six specimens, the supernumerary head joined with the other two heads and form a common tendon which got inserted into the radial tuberosity of the radius and bicipital aponeurosis. In the present study the incidence of supernumerary head of biceps brachii was 12%. In all the six specimens, the supernumerary head was found unilaterally (5 males & 1female specimen). In three specimens (50%) the supernumerary head was supplied by median nerve, the musculocutaneous nerve was absent in that specimen while in all other specimens the muscles of front of arm were supplied as usual by musculocutaneous nerve. The blood supply of the supernumerary head was from the brachial artery and vein. There was no variations in the vascular pattern of arm and forearm in all the specimens. Conclusion: Topographical anatomy and variations in the heads of the biceps brachii muscle is clinically important for surgeons, orthopaedicians and radiologists. Key words: Biceps Brachii Muscle, Supernumerary Head, Musculocutaneous Nerve, Median Nerve, Surgeons, Orthopaedicians, Radiologists. INTRODUCTION The biceps brachii is the muscle of the anterior compartment of the arm having two heads of origin proximally, a long head originating from the supraglenoid tubercle and glenoid labrum and a short head from the coracoid process of the scapula. Distally these two heads unite to form a common tendon that inserts into the posterior rough part of the radial tuberosity and bicipital aponeurosis which merges with the deep fascia of the forearm (1). This mode of insertion makes it an efficient and important supinator of the forearm. It is the only flexor of the arm that crosses the shoulder as well as the elbow joint thereby acting on both joints. It is innervated by the musculocutaneous nerve and vascularized by brachial and anterior circumflex humeral arteries and brachial vein (1). Biceps brachii has been stated as one of the muscles that shows frequent anatomical variations (2, 3, 4, 5). Some of its