The word "coracobrachialis" is a mouthful with an intricate spelling. Its pronunciation is /kɒrəkoʊbreɪkiəlɪs/. The first five letters - "corac" - come from the Greek word korax, meaning raven, and refer to the coracoid process in the scapula where this muscle is attached. The next segment, "brachi," is derived from the Latin bracchium, meaning arm. The suffix "-alis" indicates its anatomical location, in this case, on the arm. Overall, this word illustrates the complexity and precision of medical language.
Coracobrachialis is a term commonly used in anatomy to refer to a specific muscle found in the upper limb. It is located in the anterior (front) compartment of the arm, specifically in the region between the scapula (shoulder blade) and the humerus (upper arm bone).
This muscle gets its name from its anatomical location, originating from the coracoid process of the scapula and inserting into the midshaft of the humerus. The term coracobrachialis is derived from the Latin words "coraco," referring to the coracoid process, and "brachialis," referring to the upper arm.
The coracobrachialis functions primarily as a flexor of the arm at the shoulder joint, meaning it helps to lift the arm forward and upward, known as shoulder flexion. It also assists in adduction (bringing the arm toward the midline of the body) and horizontal adduction (bringing the arm across the front of the body).
Despite its relatively small size compared to other muscles in the upper limb, the coracobrachialis plays an important role in the overall movement and stabilization of the arm. Injuries or dysfunctions in this muscle can lead to weakness or limitations in shoulder movement, and understanding its anatomy is crucial for medical professionals, such as anatomists, physiotherapists, and orthopedic surgeons, in diagnosing and treating related conditions or pathologies.
Relating to the coracoid process of the scapula and the arm, noting a muscle, which see under musculus.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "coracobrachialis" has its roots in Latin and Greek.
The Latin component "coraco" derives from the Latin word "coracoides", which means "shaped like a crow's beak". This term was derived from the Greek word "korax", meaning "crow", and "oeides", meaning "shaped". The coracoid process is a hook-like structure in the scapula (shoulder blade) that resembles a crow's beak.
The Greek component "brachialis" comes from the Greek word "brakhion", meaning "upper arm". This term refers to the brachialis muscle, which is located in the upper arm, between the biceps brachii and triceps brachii muscles.