We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is the Distal Biceps Tendon?

By Shelby Miller
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 14,494
Share

The distal biceps tendon is one of two tendons connecting an end of the biceps brachii muscle in the anterior arm to its attaching bone. This band of fibrous connective tissue is located at the distal or lower end of the muscle, where it crosses the elbow and connects the two heads of the biceps to the radius bone in the forearm. Leveraging the force created by the contraction of the biceps across the elbow, the distal biceps tendon makes movement at both joints found here possible.

Originating on the top of the scapula on the coracoid process and the supraglenoid tubercle, respectively, the short and long heads of the biceps muscle arise from its proximal tendon. "Proximal" is a term of relative location used in anatomy to indicate proximity to the trunk of the body along an extremity. The biceps, then, has a proximal end, which is nearest to the shoulder, and a distal end, which is toward the elbow and therefore farthest from the trunk of the body. Hence, the distal biceps tendon is the lower of the two, found at the far end of the muscle where the two heads converge.

Like any tendon, it is made up of bands of collagen fibers that are able to withstand a great deal of tension and that exert a pull created by the muscle on the attaching bone. This particular tendon begins at the base of the upper arm just above the elbow and descends to cross two joints: the humeroulnar and proximal radioulnar joints. The former is the hinging joint of the elbow between the humerus and ulna bones, whereas the latter is the uppermost of the two articulations between the radius and ulna bones, found just beneath the elbow.

It is on the radioulnar joint that the distal biceps tendon exerts the most force. Inserting at the radial tuberosity, a rough bony eminence on the inside of the radius bone just below the elbow, the tendon helps the biceps muscle to pull on the radius during supination. Supination is the act of rotating the forearm palm-up; this is the primary function of the biceps. This muscle also assists the deeper brachioradialis muscle in flexing the humeroulnar joint or bending the elbow. As such, the distal biceps tendon is capable of acting on two joints at once, simultaneously flexing the elbow and supinating the forearm as in performing a biceps curl.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-the-distal-biceps-tendon.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.