Accessory head of biceps brachii muscle in North Indian cadavers

Background and aims: The biceps brachii is the large muscle of flexor compartment of arm. Normally it arises by two heads (long head and short head) and gets insertion in two parts (tendinous part and aponeurotic parts). The biceps brachii muscle is well known for variation in its origin.These variations can cause compression of brachial artery and median nerve which may pass deep to the accessory head of biceps brachii muscle, and can create problems for surgeons. So the surgeons should keep in mind such variations of biceps brachii muscle.The present study is to find out the variations in the origin of biceps brachii muscle. Material and methods: The present study was conducted in the department of anatomy of Gian Sagar Medical College, Ramnagar, Rajpura district Patiala (Punjab). In this study 32 human cadaveric limbs which were embalmed and fixed in 10% formaldehyde solution were used and these limbs were dissected and variations in origin of the biceps brachii muscle were noted. Results: Out of 32 limbs, 3 limbs (9.38%) were having three heads of biceps brachii muscle in its origin. The variations were found in the right limbs only. Conclusions: The knowledge of accessory head of biceps brachii muscle is important for the surgeons and troumatologists because there can be iatrogenic injury to the third head of biceps brachii muscle.