The musculocutaneous nerve acts as both the afferent and the efferent pathway.
The spinal root is C5-6.
The sitting patient
https://vimeo.com/116864104
- If you are right-handed, take hold of the patient’s elbow with your left hand.
- The patient’s forearm should rest in a relaxed manner on your forearm.
- Your left thumb should be placed firmly on the biceps tendon in the elbow fold.
- Strike your thumb with the reflex hammer.
- Note the contraction of the biceps muscle and the movement made by the forearm [Figure 77].
Figure 77
The supine patient
- The patient’s upper arm should be supported by the underlying surface, and their forearm should lie in a relaxed position across the chest.
- Check that the biceps is relaxed by passively moving the elbow.
- Place your left thumb or index finger firmly on the biceps tendon in the elbow fold.
- Strike your finger with the reflex hammer.Note the contraction of the biceps muscle and the movement made by the forearm [Figure 78].
Figure 78
