What Are the Parts of the Shoulder Bicep?: A Comprehensive Anatomy Guide

October 2, 2025 •

3 min read

The human biceps brachii is a bi-articular muscle, meaning it crosses both the shoulder and elbow joints. This makes understanding what are the parts of the shoulder bicep crucial for grasping its function in movement and stability, as well as the causes of common injuries.

Quick Summary

The anatomy of the bicep's upper attachment involves a long head and a short head, which connect the muscle to the shoulder blade via tendons. This article details these components and their significance for joint movement and stability.

Key Points

Two-Headed Muscle: The biceps brachii has a long head and a short head, both originating from the shoulder blade.
Tendon Anatomy: The long head's tendon goes through the shoulder joint and is prone to inflammation; the short head attaches to the coracoid process.
Shoulder Stabilization: The long head biceps tendon helps stabilize the glenohumeral (shoulder) joint.
Dual Function: The biceps flexes the elbow and supinates the forearm, also assisting with shoulder flexion.
Associated Injuries: Biceps tendon issues at the shoulder are often linked with rotator cuff tears.
Popeye Deformity: A complete long head biceps tendon tear can cause a visible muscle bulge called a 'Popeye deformity'.

The Anatomy of the Biceps Brachii Muscle

Located on the front of the upper arm, the biceps brachii muscle has two heads: the long head and the short head. These heads originate at different points on the scapula (shoulder blade) before joining into a single muscle belly near the elbow. This structure allows the biceps to influence both the shoulder and elbow joints.

The Two Heads of the Biceps Brachii

Each biceps head has a distinct origin on the shoulder blade:

The Long Head: This head originates from the supraglenoid tubercle of the scapula via a tendon that runs through the shoulder joint capsule. Its position helps stabilize the glenohumeral joint.
The Short Head: Originating from the coracoid process of the scapula, this head lies closer to the body's midline. It does not pass through the shoulder joint but aids in moving the arm towards the body.

The Tendons at the Shoulder

The tendons at the shoulder anchor the biceps muscle to the bone. The long head tendon is susceptible to inflammation and injury due to its path through the bicipital groove of the humerus. The short head tendon is less frequently injured, and its integrity can help retain arm function if the long head tendon tears.

Functional Role of the Biceps in the Shoulder

Beyond its well-known role in elbow flexion and forearm supination (turning the palm up), the biceps also contributes to shoulder movement and stability.

Shoulder Flexion: The biceps assists in raising the arm forward, although this is a minor function compared to other muscles.
Joint Stabilization: The long head tendon helps stabilize the shoulder joint, keeping the humerus head in place within the socket, particularly during the initial phase of arm elevation.

Common Conditions Affecting the Shoulder Bicep

The biceps tendon at the shoulder can be affected by several conditions due to its anatomy and stress.

Biceps Tendinitis

This involves inflammation of the long head biceps tendon, often from overuse or repetitive overhead movements. It's commonly seen alongside other shoulder issues like rotator cuff tears. Symptoms include pain in the front of the shoulder, especially with overhead activities, and sometimes a snapping sensation.

Biceps Tendon Tears

Biceps tendon tears can be partial or complete at the shoulder. A complete tear of the long head tendon can cause sudden, sharp pain and an audible pop, sometimes leading to a visible bulge in the upper arm called a 'Popeye deformity'. Function may be partially maintained if the short head remains intact.

Associated Conditions: The Rotator Cuff

The long head of the biceps tendon and the rotator cuff are closely related. Injuries to the biceps tendon frequently occur with rotator cuff tears, and effective treatment often needs to address both.

Comparing Common Biceps and Shoulder Conditions


Feature	Biceps Tendinitis	Long Head Biceps Tendon Tear	Rotator Cuff Tear (Associated)
Primary Cause	Overuse, repetitive motion, aging	Acute trauma, heavy lifting, chronic wear	Overuse, degeneration, trauma
Symptom Profile	Aching pain in front of shoulder, tenderness, occasional snapping	Sharp, sudden pain, audible pop, 'Popeye' deformity in complete tears	Deep shoulder pain, weakness, difficulty lifting arm
Treatment Options	Rest, NSAIDs, ice, physical therapy, cortisone injections	Non-surgical for many; surgery for severe cases or active patients	Conservative management; surgery often required for significant tears
Cosmetic Effect	None	Visible muscle bulge with a complete tear	None related to the biceps muscle

Maintaining Shoulder and Bicep Health

Protecting your shoulder and biceps involves proactive measures:

Warm Up: Prepare your muscles and tendons before physical activity, especially overhead movements.
Avoid Overuse: Listen to your body and avoid repetitive strenuous actions; vary your exercises.
Strengthen Support: Focus on strengthening rotator cuff muscles to improve shoulder stability and reduce biceps tendon stress.
Use Proper Technique: Ensure correct form during activities to prevent injury. Seek guidance if needed.
Seek Medical Advice: Do not ignore pain. Early intervention can prevent minor issues from worsening.

For more detailed information, resources like the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) provide comprehensive information on biceps tendon tears at the shoulder.

Conclusion

Understanding the components of the shoulder bicep is essential for comprehending arm movement and health. The interaction of the two biceps heads and their tendons facilitates a wide range of motion but also makes this area prone to injury. Awareness of the anatomy, common conditions, and preventative steps can help protect your shoulder and biceps, maintaining function and promoting an active life.

Frequently Asked Questions

The two heads of the bicep are called the long head and the short head. They have separate origins on the shoulder blade but merge to form a single muscle belly.

The long head's tendon attaches to the supraglenoid tubercle, which is at the top of the shoulder socket. The short head's tendon attaches to the coracoid process, a bony projection on the shoulder blade.

Yes, particularly the long head of the biceps tendon, which travels through the shoulder joint itself. It plays a role in providing dynamic stability to the shoulder joint, especially during arm movement.

Biceps tendinitis, or inflammation of the long head of the biceps tendon, is a common injury. It is often caused by overuse or repetitive motion and can be associated with other shoulder problems.

In a complete tear, the long head tendon detaches from the shoulder socket. The muscle belly retracts toward the elbow, creating a visible bulge known as a 'Popeye deformity'.

No, they are different injuries, but they often occur together due to their close anatomical relationship. Biceps tendon issues are highly correlated with tears in the rotator cuff.

The biceps muscle is responsible for flexing the elbow and supinating the forearm (rotating the palm upward). It also has a weaker function of assisting with shoulder flexion.