Variations in the origin of the third head of biceps brachii in North Coastal Andhra Pradesh: A cross-sectional cadaveric study.

Ravi Kumar  Urjana; Vishsla  Epuri; R. Malleswara  Rao; VD Prasanna  Malladi

doi:10.51168/sjhrafrica.v6i6.1917

Authors

Dr. Ravi Kumar Urjana Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy, Great Eastern Medical School and Hospital, Ragolu, Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, India
Dr. Vishsla Epuri Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy, SVS Medical College, Mahaboob Nagar Disrict, Telangana, India
Dr. R. Malleswara Rao Professor, Department of Anatomy, Great Eastern Medical School & Hospitsl, Ragolu, Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, India
Dr. V.D. Prasanna Malladi Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy, Government Medical College and General Hospital, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Telangana, India.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v6i6.1917

Keywords:

Biceps brachii, third head, anatomical variation, deltoid, coracobrachialis, cadaveric study, North Coastal Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

Background
The biceps brachii muscle is classically described as having two heads: long and short. However, anatomical variations such as a third (accessory) head are not uncommon and may have clinical implications during surgical, orthopedic, or radiological procedures involving the arm. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and morphological characteristics of the third head of biceps brachii in cadavers from North Coastal Andhra Pradesh.

Materials and methods
A total of 100 upper limbs from 50 formalin-fixed adult cadavers (35 males, 15 females) were dissected during routine anatomical teaching sessions. The origin and laterality of the third head of biceps brachii were documented, and observations were categorized by sex and site of origin.

Results
A third head of the biceps brachii was identified in 10% of dissected upper limbs. It was more commonly observed in males (11.4%) than in females (6.8%). The third head originated from the insertion site of the deltoid muscle in 7 limbs (7%) and from the insertion of the coracobrachialis in 3 limbs (3%). Bilateral occurrence was noted in 6 limbs, 4 from the deltoid and 2 from the coracobrachialis origins in males, and 2 bilateral deltoid-origin cases in females. No additional accessory heads were noted. The origins of the long and short heads remained constant in all specimens.

Conclusion
The third head of the biceps brachii is a notable anatomical variation, especially in males, with deltoid insertion being the more frequent site of origin. Awareness of such variations is essential for surgeons, radiologists, and clinicians to avoid diagnostic confusion and complications during upper limb procedures.

Recommendations

Further anatomical studies across diverse regions are recommended to support surgical planning and prevent complications related to muscular variations.

Author Biographies

Dr. Ravi Kumar Urjana, Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy, Great Eastern Medical School and Hospital, Ragolu, Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, India

Dr. Ravikumar Urjana is currently serving as an Associate Professor in the Department of Anatomy at Great Eastern Medical School and Hospital, Ragolu, Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh. He holds an MSc and a PhD in Medical Anatomy and brings over 15 years of extensive teaching experience in reputed medical institutions. Dr. Ravikumar has been actively involved in educating undergraduate medical students and mentoring their academic development. He has published five research articles in esteemed international medical journals.ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5494-6454

Dr. Vishsla Epuri, Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy, SVS Medical College, Mahaboob Nagar Disrict, Telangana, India

Dr. Vishala Epuri is currently serving as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Anatomy at SVS Medical College, Mahabubnagar District, Telangana. She earned her doctoral degree from Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai. With over 17 years of teaching experience in medical colleges, Dr. Vishala has been actively engaged in training undergraduate medical students. She has authored four research publications in reputed international medical journals.

Dr. R. Malleswara Rao, Professor, Department of Anatomy, Great Eastern Medical School & Hospitsl, Ragolu, Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, India

Dr. R. Malleswara Rao is currently serving as Professor of Anatomy at Great Eastern Medical School & Hospital, Ragolu, Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh. He has approximately sixteen years of teaching experience in both government and private medical institutions. Dr. Rao has authored around 16 research publications in reputed national and international medical journals. He is actively involved in various academic and research activities and also serves as a guide for PhD students. ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-2266-7043

Dr. V.D. Prasanna Malladi , Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy, Government Medical College and General Hospital, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Telangana, India.

Dr. V.D. Prasanna Malladi is currently serving as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Anatomy at Government Medical College and General Hospital, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Telangana, India. She has over 10 years of teaching experience in human anatomy at various reputed medical institutions. She has actively contributed to medical education and has published several research articles in indexed national and international journals, with a primary focus on anatomical variations and their clinical implications. Her academic interests include cadaveric dissection, neuroanatomy, and applied anatomy. She is a registered researcher with ORCID iD:https://orcid.org/ 0009-0005-5313-8227.

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