Gross Anatomy Block 2 Practice Test 2026 – Your Comprehensive All-in-One Study Guide for Success!

The muscles located in the front of the upper arm—the coracobrachialis and brachialis—are innervated by a nerve that supplies the flexor group in the arm. The musculocutaneous nerve does exactly that: it arises from the lateral cord (C5–C7), travels through the arm, and specifically innervates the coracobrachialis and brachialis (along with the biceps brachii). This nerve then continues as the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve to provide sensation in the forearm.

The other nerves have different targets: the median nerve supplies most of the forearm flexors and some hand muscles but not these two upper-arm muscles; the radial nerve runs posteriorly to the arm and forearm; the ulnar nerve supplies other forearm and hand muscles. Thus, the nerve that innervates both coracobrachialis and brachialis is the musculocutaneous nerve.