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Brachioradialis origin and insertion

Brachioradialis runs from the humerus to the radius.

What are the origin and insertion of brachioradialis?

Brachioradialis arises from the upper two-thirds of the lateral supracondylar ridge of the humerus. It inserts on the side of the base of the radius’s styloid process. Its main action is elbow flexion. It is supplied by the radial nerve (C5, C6). The attachments, actions and nerve follow Gray (1918).

Every attachment and its bone

Origin 1

Origin of brachioradialis, with the bone each is on
Attachment Bone
Upper two-thirds of the lateral supracondylar ridge of the humerus Humerus

Insertion 1

Insertion of brachioradialis, with the bone each is on
Attachment Bone
Side of the base of the radius’s styloid process Radius

Actions

The actions of brachioradialis, and which are its main ones
Action What moves Main or assisting
Elbow flexion The forearm bends up Main action

Each action is stated in the anatomical position: standing, arms by the sides, palms forward.

Innervation

The radial nerve (C5, C6).

Lifts that use brachioradialis

A prime mover produces the lift’s main joint action against the load; a synergist assists that action, or adds a secondary action the lift needs. Each role is the one the lift’s own page gives, for the technique that page states.

Synergist in 5

Lifts in which brachioradialis is a synergist, with what it does there
Lift What it does there
Bent-over barbell row Elbow flexion with the forearm turned down
Pull-up Elbow flexion with the forearm turned down
Chin-up Elbow flexion
Lat pulldown Elbow flexion with the forearm turned down
Barbell biceps curl Elbow flexion

Sources

Each lift role is from that lift’s page in muscles worked by exercise, which names the sources it follows.

The values are facts and free to use; this page’s selection and presentation are © 2026 ScienceQuest.

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