Coracobrachialis

Structure

This course describes the anatomy and integrated function of the coracobrachialis. As the name suggests, the coracobrachialis has an origin on the coracoid process of the scapula (a.k.a. shoulder blade) and an insertion on the "brachii" or anterior side of the humerus (a.k.a. upper arm bone). When this course was published, research could not be located that reported the relative mass and proportion of muscle fiber types of this muscle.

Function:

The coracobrachialis crosses the shoulder joint and acts as a synergist during shoulder flexion, horizontal adduction, and adduction. This course also discusses the coracobrachialis and shoulder (glenohumeral) joint arthrokinematics, fascial integration, subsystem integration, and postural dysfunction. For example, the coracobrachialis may act synergistically with the pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi, and teres major, contributing to adduction of the humerus and inferior glide of the humeral head in the glenoid fossa. These actions may be a component of the sign "Arms Fall " during an Overhead Squat Assessment , and postural dysfunction (e.g. movement impairment) of the upper body.

Practical Application:

Sports medicine professionals (personal trainers, fitness instructors, physical therapists, massage therapists, chiropractors, occupational therapists, athletic trainers, etc.) must be aware of the integrated function of the coracobrachialis for the detailed analysis of human movement, and the development of sophisticated exercise programs and therapeutic (rehabilitation) interventions. For example, altered activity and length of the coracobrachialis may contribute to shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS), anterior shoulder pain, bursitis, trigger points, and musculocutaneous nerve impingement. Altered coracobrachialis activity may also result in a reduction in posterior rotator cuff (infraspinatus and teres minor) activity, resulting in a significant decrease in upper body speed, agility, and strength, and a reduction in the effectiveness of resistance training routines intended to improve upper body strength and hypertrophy (bodybuilding). Deeper knowledge of coracobrachialis anatomy is essential for optimal assessment, intervention selection, and building a repertoire of coracobrachialis specific techniques.

Pre-approved credits for:

• Human Movement Specialist (HMS) Certification

Pre-approved for Continuing Education Credits for:

• Athletic Trainers
• Chiropractors
• Group Exercise Instructors
• Massage Therapists
• Occupational Therapists
• Personal Trainers
• Physical Therapists
• Physical Therapy Assistants
• Physiotherapists
• Yoga Instructors

This Course Includes:

• AI Tutor
• Webinar
• Study Guide
• Text and Illustrations
• Audio Voice-over
• Research Review
• Technique Videos
• Case Study and Sample Routine
• Practice Exam
• Pre-approved Final Exam

Upper Body Dysfunction (UBD):

Assessment:

• Overhead Squat Assessment
  
  • Arms Fall
• Goniometric Assessment
  
  • Shoulder Flexion (<180°): Coracobrachialis Short and Over-active

Sample Self-administered Intervention

• Release
• • Latissimus Dorsi Self-administered Active Release
  • Posterior Deltoid Static Release
• Mobilization or Manipulation
  • Shoulder Mobilization
• Lengthening
  • Childs Pose
  • Crucifixion Stretch
• Activation
  • External Rotator Activation
  • Serratus Anterior Activation
• Integration
  • Prone ITY's

Brookbush Institute’s most recommended techniques for Coracobrachialis (see videos below):

• Vibration Release: Arm Vibration Release
• Static Stretch: Crucifixion Stretch

Caption: Coracobrachialis

1. David B. Jenkins, Hollinshead’s Functional Anatomy of the Limbs and Back: Eighth Edition © 2002 Saunders
2. Donald A. Neumann, “Kinesiology of the Musculoskeletal System: Foundations of Rehabilitation – 2nd Edition” © 2012 Mosby, Inc.
3. Holzbaur KR, Murray WM, Gold GE, Delp SL. Upper limb muscle volumes in adult subjects. J Biomech. 2007;40(4):742-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2006.11.011. Epub 2007 Jan 22. PMID: 17241636.
4. Florence Peterson Kendall, Elizabeth Kendall McCreary, Patricia Geise Provance, Mary McIntyre Rodgers, William Anthony Romani, Muscles: Testing and Function with Posture and Pain: Fifth Edition © 2005 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
5. Ilayperuma I, Nanayakkara BG, Hasan R, et al. (2015). Coracobrachialis muscle: morphology, morphometry and gender differences. Radiol Anat. Epub Ahead of Print.
6. Szewczyk, B., Polguj, M., Paulsen, F., Podgórski, M., Duparc, F., Karauda, P., & Olewnik, Ł. (2021). A proposal for a new classification of coracobrachialis muscle morphology. Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 43, 679-688.
   • Fascial Integration:
7. Benjamin, M. (2009). The fascia of the limbs and back–a review. Journal of anatomy, 214(1), 1-18.
8. Stecco, C., Porzionato, A., Lancerotto, L., Stecco, A., Macchi, V., Day, J. A., & De Caro, R. (2008). Histological study of the deep fasciae of the limbs. Journal of bodywork and movement therapies, 12(3), 225-230.
9. Stecco, C., Pavan, P. G., Porzionato, A., Macchi, V., Lancerotto, L., Carniel, E. L., … & De Caro, R. (2009). Mechanics of crural fascia: from anatomy to constitutive modelling. Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 31(7), 523-529.
10. Levangin, H.M. 2006. Connective tissue : a body-wide signaling network? Med. Hypoththeses 66, 1074-1077
11. Tom Myers, Anatomy Trains: Second Edition. © Elsevier Limited 2009
    • Movement Impairment:
12. Donnelly, J. M., Fernández-de-Las-Peñas, Finnegan M., Freeman, J. (2022). Travell, Simons & Simons' Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual 3rd Edition. Elsevier Health Sciences
13. Phillip Page, Clare Frank, Robert Lardner, Assessment and Treatment of Muscle Imbalance: The Janda Approach © 2010 Benchmark Physical Therapy, Inc., Clare C. Frank, and Robert Lardner
14. Lawrence, R.L., Braman, J.P., Staker, J.L., Laprade, R.F., Ludewig, P.M. (2014) Comparison of 3-dimensional shoulder complex kinematics in individuals with and without shoulder pain, Part 2: Glenohumeral joint. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy 44(9). 646-B3
15. Wong CK, Coleman D, diPersia V, Song J, Wright D. (2010). The effects of manual treatment on rounded-shoulder posture, and associated muscle strength. Journal of Bodywork & Movement Therapies. 14: 326-333
    • Research
16. Halder AM, Halder CG, Zhao KD, O'Driscoll SW, Morrey BF, An KN. Dynamic inferior stabilizers of the shoulder joint. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 2001 Feb;16(2):138-43. doi: 10.1016/s0268-0033(00)00077-2. PMID: 11222932.
17. Giles, JW, Boons HW, Ferreira LM, Johnson JA, Athwal GS. The effect of the conjoined tendon of the short head of the biceps and coracobrachialis on shoulder stability and kinematics during in-vitro simulation. J Biomech. 2011 Apr 7;44(6):1192-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2011.02.012. Epub 2011 Mar 5. PMID: 21377681.
18. Saito, Matsuo, & Miyazaki. (2006). Analysis of surface electromyogram of muscle activity in the upper limb and shoulder girdle during overhand baseball pitching. Sports Science Research, 51, 351-365
19. Martinez, R., Assila, N., Goubault, E., & Begon, M. (2020). Sex differences in upper limb musculoskeletal biomechanics during a lifting task. Applied ergonomics, 86, 103106.