Accessory head of biceps brachii muscle: anatomy, histology, and MRI in cadavers

The purpose of our study is to describe and define an anatomic variation located close to the bicipital groove using MRI with gross anatomic and histologic correlation in cadavers.

Ten fresh male human shoulders were harvested and used in this investigation. They were derived from persons with a mean age of death of 78.9 years (age range, 58-92 years). MR arthrography using proton density-weighted sequences was used to obtain images in axial, coronal, and sagittal planes. After imaging, the specimens were cut in axial, coronal, and sagittal sections using a band saw. The slices were then photographed to allow correlation with the MR arthrographic images, followed by histologic analysis.

Two anomalous tendons, both intimate with the tendon of the long head of the biceps brachii muscle in the bicipital groove, were recognized. The origin of both tendons was in the greater tuberosity near the articular capsule. These structures had a muscular belly that was joined with the other biceps bellies. At the level of the bicipital groove, the anomalous tendons appeared as hypointense structures in proton density-weighted images, with a mostly flat morphology in axial and coronal planes. The average dimensions of these structures were 45.5 (craniocaudal)x6.2 (anteroposterior)x0.85 (mediolateral) mm.

The MR images, gross anatomic inspection, and histologic information led us to conclude that these anomalous structures were accessory heads of the biceps brachii muscle.